ANGULAR ARCH DRAGLINE BUCKET AND WORK MACHINES, SYSTEMS, AND ASSEMBLIES THEREOF

Abstract

A dragline bucket can comprise: a bottom wall; a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge portion; a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge portion; a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall; an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall portion, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall portion, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; and a dump anchor fixedly coupled to the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 202311081370 filed Nov. 30, 2023, wherein the entire contents and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a dragline bucket, and work machines, systems, and assemblies thereof.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as dragline excavators, typically include a dragline bucket associated therewith. The dragline bucket may be used in mining and earth moving operations. For example, the dragline bucket may be used to capture materials such as rocks/aggregate, or other large finds. The dragline bucket is suspended from a boom of the machine by a rigging assembly, and the dragline bucket is maneuvered by control of the rigging assembly.

A dump rope may be coupled to the dragline bucket via an attachment. In at least some cases, the dragline bucket may have an arched front ring assembly. Due to the curved nature of the arched front ring assembly, the attachment may not suitably fit to the arched front ring assembly. As such, load transfer from the attachment to the arched front ring assembly may lead to weld cracking due to fatigue load. Additionally or alternatively, current cheek plate joints may take direct loading from the attachment, which can result in higher weld stress.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,544,562 (“the '562 patent”) describes a dragline bucket comprised of a base member, a first side member, a second side member, a rear member, and a mouth for receiving material into the bucket. Notably, the '562 patent also describes an arch and two attachment points provided at the top or the arch.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a dragline machine can be provided or implemented. The dragline machine can comprise: a boom; a rigging assembly operatively coupled to the boom via plurality of ropes; and a dragline bucket having an inner working volume. The dragline bucket can include: a bottom wall, a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge, the first sidewall having a first forward-facing drag lug, a second sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge, the second sidewall having a second forward-facing drag lug, a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket, an angular arch arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar, and a dump anchor having a connection interface, a front edge and a rear edge opposite the front edge. The front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar, are welded to the upper surface of the base portion of the angular arch arm.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a dragline bucket can be provided or implemented. The dragline bucket can comprise: a bottom wall; a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge portion, the first sidewall portion having a first forward-facing drag lug; a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge portion, the second sidewall portion having a second forward-facing drag lug; a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket; an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall portion, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall portion, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; and a dump anchor having a connection interface, a front edge and a rear edge opposite the front edge. The front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar and which extend parallel in a length direction of the arm, are fixedly coupled to the upper surface of the base portion of the arm, the connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall portion and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall portion, the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall portion and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall portion, the second portion is fixedly coupled to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the first upper edge portion of the first sidewall portion, and/or the fourth portion is fixedly coupled to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the second upper edge portion of the second sidewall portion.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a dragline bucket assembly can be provided or implemented. The dragline bucket assembly can comprise: a bottom wall; a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge; a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge; a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket; an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall portion, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall portion, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; and a dump anchor having a connection interface to connect to one or more ropes, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, the front and rear edges being planar. The connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall portion and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall portion, the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall portion and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall portion, the second portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the first upper edge of the first sidewall portion, the fourth portion is welded to the outside of the second sidewall portion below the second upper edge of the second sidewall portion, and/or the dump anchor is the only dump anchor or part of a pair of dump anchors on the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a machine, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an end, overhead perspective view of a dragline bucket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the dragline bucket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the dragline bucket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top or overhead plan view of the dragline bucket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the dragline bucket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an end, below perspective view of the dragline bucket of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, the present disclosure relates to a dragline bucket, and work machines, systems, and assemblies thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary machine 100. The machine 100 is embodied as a dragline excavator herein. Alternatively, the machine 100 may include another type of earthmoving machine that employs a dragline bucket 102 that will be explained later in this section. The machine 100 may perform one or more operations associated with an industry such as mining, construction, forestry, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. The machine 100 may be embodied as a manual, autonomous, or semi-autonomous machine, without any limitations. Thus, machines according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, including the machine 100, may be regarded as work or working machines.

The machine 100 can include a house 104, which may be regarded as a cabin or more generally an operator area. The machine 100 can further include a power source supported by the house 104 or other component, such as a chassis or frame. The power source may supply power to various components of the machine 100 for operation, movement, and the like. In one example, the power source may include an engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of combustion engine. In other examples, the power source may additionally or alternatively include an electric drive assembly having one or more electric motors.

The machine 100 can include a boom 106. The boom 106 can be controlled by a suspension system 108 connected to a mast 110 and a gantry frame 112. The machine 100 can further include a rigging assembly 114 coupled to one or more hoist ropes 116. The machine 100 can also include the dragline bucket 102 coupled to the rigging assembly 114. Optionally, the dragline bucket 102 may be regarded as separate from the machine 100, though operably coupleable to the machine 100, particularly operably coupleable to the rigging assembly 114 thereof, such as shown in FIG. 1. The rigging assembly 114 can include a drag socket 118 and one or more drag ropes 120. The hoist rope(s) 116 can pass over a boom point sheave 122 of the boom 106 and suspend the dragline bucket 102 therefrom. The dragline bucket 102 can be coupled to the drag rope(s) 120 by the drag socket 118. An amount of material that can be carried by the dragline bucket 102 is typically governed by a volume of the dragline bucket 102. Further, the volume of the dragline bucket 104 may vary based on a shape and/or size of the dragline bucket 102, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., according to the cubic volume). Exemplary dragline bucket volumes include from 3 m³ to 125 m³.

Turning to FIGS. 2-7, these figures show the dragline bucket 102 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to the specific dragline bucket 102 shown in FIGS. 2-7. The dragline bucket 102 itself may be regarded as a dragline bucket assembly.

The dragline bucket 102, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, can include a body 103 having a base 204, which may be regarded as a floor or bottom wall, a first sidewall 206, a second sidewall 208 opposite the first sidewall 206, and a rear or end wall 210. The first sidewall 206 can define a first upper edge 207 opposite the base 204, and the second sidewall 208 can define a second upper edge 209 opposite the base 204, which can be opposite the first upper edge 207. Further, the base 204, the first sidewall 206, the second sidewall 208, and the rear or end wall 210 can be arranged to define an interior volume of the dragline bucket 102, such as shown in FIGS. 2-7. The interior volume may be regarded as a working volume. According to one or more embodiments, the first sidewall 206, the first upper edge 207, the second sidewall 208, and the second upper edge 209 may be regarded as a side sidewall portion, a first upper edge portion, a second sidewall portion, and a second upper edge portion, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second upper edge 209 can form an angle in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket 102, toward the rear of the dragline bucket 102. Likewise, the first upper edge 207 can form the angle in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket 102, i.e., the side elevational view opposite that of FIG. 3, toward the rear of the dragline bucket 102. Such angle formed by the first upper edge 207 and likewise the second upper edge 209 can be obtuse. The dragline bucket 102 may be regarded as a clipped bucket (i.e., a clipped dragline bucket). However, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to the dragline bucket 102 shown in FIGS. 2-7 or even the type of dragline bucket shown in FIGS. 2-7 and may include other dragline bucket types or styles.

A lip assembly 212 can be provided at the front edge of the base 204 opposite the rear wall 210. Optionally, the lip assembly 212 may be part of the base 204. The lip assembly 212 can include a plurality of edge protectors 213 and/or a plurality of ground engaging tools 214.

Further, the first sidewall 206 may define or include a first forward-facing projection 216, and the second sidewall 208 may define or include a second forward-facing projection 218. Each of the first and second forward-facing projections 216, 218 may be regarded as a drag lug. The first and second forward-facing projections 216, 218 may each provide an attachment point, which may be, according to one example, a clevis pin-compatible attachment point. Further, such attachment point may be regarded as a hitch point of the cheek plate. According to one or more embodiments, the lip assembly 212 and the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 excepting the first and second forward-facing projections 216, 218 may define a mouth of the dragline bucket 102. The first sidewall 206 and the second sidewall 208, or at least front or leading portions thereof, such as the first and second forward-facing projections 216, 218, may be regarded as cheek portions or plates.

The dragline bucket 102 may also include an arm 250. According to one or more embodiments, the arm 250, the lip assembly 212, and the front edges of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 (including or excluding the first and second forward-facing projections 216, 218) may define a front ring assembly. The front ring assembly, according to one or more embodiments, may comprise or consist of the arm 250, the lip assembly 212, and at least the front edges of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208. The front ring assembly of the dragline bucket 102 may define a front of the dragline bucket 102.

The arm 250 can be entirely forward of the lip assembly 212, such as shown in FIG. 3. The arm 250 may also be at an angle θ in the forward direction relative to horizontal and/or the first and second upper edges 207, 209, and/or the base 204 in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket 102, such as shown in FIG. 3. According to one or more embodiments, the angle θ can range from 90 degrees to 120 degrees.

The arm 250 can have a first end 256 fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the first sidewall 206 and a second end 258 fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the second sidewall 208. The first and second ends 256, 258 can be respectively fixedly coupled to an outside or outer portion of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208. Further, such fixed couplings of the first and second ends 256, 258 to the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 can be below the first and second upper edges 207, 209. Such fixed couplings may be regarded as side weldings. Optionally, the first and second ends 256, 258 may be fixedly coupled (e.g., via welding) to the outer portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 and not the first and second upper edges 207, 209. Such fixed coupling can provide a suitable weld distribution that can exhibit suitable (e.g., better or improved) stress accommodation. According to one or more embodiments, the dragline bucket 102 could operate at ⅔ load on one side on either the first forward-facing projection 216 or the second forward-facing projection 218 of the attachment point for the first forward-facing projection 216/the second forward-facing projection 218.

The arm 250 can be regarded as or in the form of an angular arch and can include or have a base portion 252, a first extension 254 extending from a first end of the base portion 252 and including the first end 256 of the as arm 250, and a second extension 255 extending from a second end of the base portion 252 opposite the first end and including the second end 258 of the arm 250.

The first and second extensions 254, 255 can extend at an obtuse angle Φ from the base portion 252, such as shown in FIG. 4. The portion between the base portion 252 and each of the first extension 254 and the second extension 255 may be regarded as bend or bent portion. Here, each of the base portion 252, the first extension 254, and the second extension 255 can be linear, i.e., straight. Notably, at least an upper surface 257 of the base portion 252 can be flat or planar. Optionally, the upper surfaces of the first and second extensions 254, 255 can be flat or planar.

A dump anchor 280, which can be a fabrication or a casting, can be provided and fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252. According to one or more embodiments, the dump anchor 280 may be regarded as part of the dragline bucket 102. The dump anchor 280 can have a connection interface 282 to connect one or more ropes to the dragline bucket 102 and a base with a front edge 284, a rear edge 286, and an arched or curved portion 288 between the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286. According to one or more embodiments, the dump anchor 280 may be the only dump anchor 280 on the arm 250. Optionally, the only one dump anchor 280 may be centered along the length of the base portion 252 of the arm 250. Alternatively, only two of the dump anchors 280 may be provided. The two dump anchors 280, as a pair, may be centered along the length of the base portion 252 of the arm 250.

The base of the dump anchor 280 can be fixedly coupled to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252. More specifically, the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286, both of which can be straight and planar, can each be fixed coupled (e.g., welded) to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252. Thus, in that the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 and the upper surface 257 can each be linear and planar, the fixed connections can implement relatively long surface contact areas for fixedly coupling (e.g., welding) the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252 or the arm 250. Optionally, the entire base of the dump anchor 280 can be flat and planar, from the front edge 284 to the rear edge 286. Alternatively, between the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 can be curved or arched away from the arm 250. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, only the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 and not the curved or arched portion may be fixedly coupled the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252 of the arm 250. In that the fixed connection between the dump anchor 280 and the upper surface 257 is flat or planar, i.e., at least at the front and rear edges 284, 286, the contact surface between the joints can be increased. This can help in betterment of weld stress distribution from the dump anchor 280 to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252.

The arm 250, which can have straight and bent portions, can be comprised of or consist of an upper plate 251, a lower plate 253 opposite the upper plate 251, and a pair of sidewalls 259 on opposite sides of the arm 250. The sidewalls 259 may be regarded as gussets. Optionally, the arm 250 can further comprise or consist of a rib or gusset 261 below the lower plate 253. For instance, FIG. 8 indicates a pair of ribs or gussets 261 on the lower plate 253 at each of the first and second ends of the arm 256, 258. The foregoing components can be fixedly coupled to each other, for instance, via welding, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, in that the arm 250 may comprise or consist of the foregoing components, the arm 250 may be referred to as an arm assembly.

The first extension 254 and the second extension 255 can each include a connection interface 260 at the first end 256 and the second end 258, respectively. The connection interface 260 can couple the first and second ends 256, 258 to the first and second sidewalls 206, 208, respectively. As noted above, the first and second ends 256, 258 can be respectively fixedly coupled to the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 via the connection interfaces 260. Here, the connection interfaces 260 can sandwich respective portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208. That is, a connection portion 262 of the connection interface 260, for instance, a portion of the lower plate 253, can be at an inside or internal surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208, and another connection portion 263 of the connection interface 260, for instance, a portion of the upper plate 251, can be at an outside or external surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208. Notably, the connection interfaces 210 can extend past the first and second upper edges 207, 209 and reach below the first and second upper edges 207, 209, such as shown in FIG. 3. Optionally, the connection portion 262 of the connection interface 260 at the inside or internal surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208 can extend below the first and second upper edges 207, 209 less than the connection portion 263 of the connection interface 260 at the outside or external surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208. Optionally, the connection interfaces 260, particularly the connection portions 263, may be fixedly coupled (e.g., via welding) to the outer or external portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 and not the first and second upper edges 207, 209. The connection interfaces 260 may also be fixedly coupled (e.g., via welding) to the inner or internal portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208, particularly the connection portions 262, and not the first and second upper edges 207, 209.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to dragline buckets, and work machines, systems, and assemblies thereof.

As noted above, a dump rope may be coupled to the dragline bucket via an attachment. In at least some cases, the dragline bucket may have an arched front ring assembly. Due to the curved nature of the arched front ring assembly, the attachment may not suitably fit to the arched front ring assembly. As such, load transfer from the attachment to the arched front ring assembly may lead to weld cracking due to fatigue load. Additionally or alternatively, current cheek plate joints may take direct loading from the attachment, which can result in higher weld stress.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dragline bucket can be implemented or provided, such as the dragline bucket 102.

The dragline bucket 102 may also include an arm, such as the arm 250. The arm 250 can be entirely forward of the lip assembly 212, such as shown in FIG. 3. The arm 250 can have a first end 256 fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the first sidewall 206 and a second end 258 fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the second sidewall 208. The first and second ends 256, 258 can be respectively fixedly coupled to an outside or outer portion of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208. Further, such fixed couplings of the first and second ends 256, 258 to the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 can be below the first and second upper edges 207, 209. Optionally, the first and second ends 256, 258 may be fixedly coupled (e.g., via welding) to the outer portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 and not the first and second upper edges 207, 209. Such fixed coupling can provide a suitable weld distribution that can exhibit suitable (e.g., better or improved) stress accommodation.

As noted above, the arm 250 can be regarded as or in the form of an angular arch and can include or have the base portion 252, the first extension 254 extending from the first end of the base portion 252 and including the first end 256 of the as arm 250, and the second extension 255 extending from the second end of the base portion 252 opposite the first end and including the second end 258 of the arm 250. The portion between the base portion 252 and each of the first extension 254 and the second extension 255 may be regarded as bend or bent portion. Here, each of the base portion 252, the first extension 254, and the second extension 255 can be linear, i.e., straight. Notably, at least the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252 can be flat or planar. Optionally, the upper surfaces of the first and second extensions 254, 255 can be flat or planar.

One or more dump anchors, such as the dump anchor 280, can be provided and fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252. The dump anchor 280 can have the connection interface 282 to connect one or more ropes to the dragline bucket 102 and the base with the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286.,. Optionally, an arched or curved portion may extend from the front edge 284 to the rear edge 286. Such arched or curved portion may not be fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the upper surface 257. Thus, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion including at least the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 can be fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the upper surface 257.

The base can be fixed coupled to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252. More specifically, the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286, both of which can be straight and planar, can each be fixed coupled (e.g., welded) to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252. Thus, in that the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 and the upper surface 257 can each be linear and planar, the fixed connections can implement relatively long surface contact areas for fixedly coupling (e.g., welding) each of the front edge 284 and the rear edge 286 to the upper surface 257 of the base portion 252 or the arm 250. Such relatively long surface contact area may be contrasted with a configuration where the upper surface 257 is not flat and planar. Further, such fixed coupling of the dump anchor 280 to the arm 250 can transfer loading and reduce stress at the connection interface between the dump anchor 280 and the arm 250. In this regard, the arm 250, while pulling the rope attached to the dump anchor 280 backwards in a direction away from the body 103 of the dragline bucket 102, the arm 250, which is notably in the form of an angular arch, can cause the load distribution not to be or minimized at the connection interface 260, which can result in less stress at such connection interface 260. Further, such configuration may allow for ease of construction.

The arm 250, which can have straight and bent portions, can be comprised of or consist of the upper plate 251, the lower plate 253 opposite the upper plate 251, and the pair of sidewalls 259 on opposite sides of the arm 250. Optionally, the arm 250 can further comprise or consist of a rib or gusset below the lower plate 253. The foregoing components can be fixedly coupled to each other, for instance, via welding, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, in that the arm 250 may comprise or consist of the foregoing components, the arm 250 may be referred to as an arm assembly.

The first extension 254 and the second extension 255 can each include a connection interface, such as the connection interface 260, at the first end 256 and the second end 258, respectively. The connection interface 260 can couple the first and second ends 256, 258 to the first and second sidewalls 206, 208, respectively, where, as noted earlier, the first and second ends 256, 258 can be respectively fixedly coupled to the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 via the connection interfaces 260. Here, the connection interfaces 260 can sandwich respective portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208. That is, a portion of the connection interface 260, for instance, a portion of the lower plate 253 can be at an inside surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208 and another portion of the connection interface, for instance, a portion of the upper plate 251, can be at an outside surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208. Notably, the connection interfaces 210 can extend past the first and second upper edges 207, 209 and reach below the first and second upper edges 207, 209, such as shown in FIG. 3. Optionally, the portion of the connection interface 260 at the inside surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208 can extend below the first and second upper edges 207, 209 less than the portion of the connection interface 260 at the outside surface of the corresponding first or second sidewall 206, 208. Optionally, the connection interfaces 260 may be fixedly coupled (e.g., via welding) to the outer portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 and not the first and second upper edges 207, 209. According to one or more embodiments, the connection interfaces 260 may also be fixedly coupled (e.g., via welding) to the inner portions of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208 and not the first and second upper edges 207, 209.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can implement the arm 250 in the form of an angular arch. Such arm 250 can provide for weight reduction, which can reduce the overall weight of the dragline bucket 102. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can also provide or implement, generally speaking, a flat-base dump-anchor which can be manufactured using both fabrication or casting. Additionally, the joint(s) between dump anchor (e.g., dump anchor 280) and arch (e.g., arm 250) can change from line contact to surface contact, which can reduce weld stress (e.g., by ˜25 to 30%). A rib or gusset below the arch (e.g., arm 250) and the arch plate extension (e.g., first and second extensions 254, 255) to below the upper edges of the first and second upper edges 207, 209 of the first and second sidewalls 206, 208, respectively, can improve the stiffness in the angular arch (e.g., arm 250) and reduce the stress on cheek plate joint.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can also be as set forth according to the following parentheticals.

• • (1) A dragline machine comprising: a boom; a rigging assembly operatively coupled to the boom via plurality of ropes; and a dragline bucket having an inner working volume, the dragline bucket including: a bottom wall, a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge, the first sidewall having a first forward-facing drag lug, a second sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge, the second sidewall having a second forward-facing drag lug, a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket, an angular arch arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar, and a dump anchor having a connection interface, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, and a portion extending from the front edge to the rear edge, the front and rear edges being planar, wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar, are welded to the upper surface of the base portion of the angular arch arm.
  • (2) The dragline machine according to (1), wherein the connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall, wherein the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall, wherein the second portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall below the first upper edge of the first sidewall and not at the first upper edge of the first sidewall, and wherein the fourth portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall below the second upper edge of the second sidewall and not at the second upper edge of the second sidewall.
  • (3) The dragline machine according to (1) or (2), wherein the dump anchor is the only dump anchor on the upper surface of the base portion of the angular arch arm.
  • (4) The dragline machine according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein each of the base portion, the first extension, and the second extension has a portion that is straight and linear, and wherein an angle at an interface between the base portion of the angular arch arm and each of the first extension and the second extension is obtuse.
  • (5) The dragline machine according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the angular arch arm is angled forward, away from the rear wall of the dragline bucket, at an angle from 90 to 120 degrees, wherein the first extension of the angular arch arm is welded to the first sidewall forward of the lip assembly, and wherein the second extension of the angular arch arm is welded to the second sidewall forward of the lip assembly.
  • (6) The dragline machine according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the first forward-facing drag lug extends in a forward direction more than each of the angular arch arm and the lip assembly, wherein in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the second forward-facing drag lug extends in the forward direction more than each of the angular arch arm and the lip assembly, and wherein the working volume of the dragline bucket is from 3 m³ to 125 m³.
  • (7) A dragline bucket comprising: a bottom wall; a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge portion, the first sidewall portion having a first forward-facing drag lug; a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge portion, the second sidewall portion having a second forward-facing drag lug; a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket; an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall portion, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall portion, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; and a dump anchor having a connection interface, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, and a portion extending from the front edge to the rear edge, the front and rear edges and the portion each being planar, wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar and which extend parallel in a length direction of the arm, are fixedly coupled to the upper surface of the base portion of the arm, wherein the connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall portion and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall portion, wherein the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall portion and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall portion, wherein the second portion is fixedly coupled to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the first upper edge portion of the first sidewall portion, and wherein the fourth portion is fixedly coupled to the outside of the second sidewall portion below the second upper edge portion of the second sidewall portion.
  • (8) The dragline bucket according to (7), wherein the dump anchor is the only dump anchor on the upper surface of the base portion of the arm, the dump anchor being centered along a length of the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.
  • (9) The dragline bucket according to (7) or (8), wherein each of the base portion, the first extension, and the second extension has a portion that is straight and linear, and wherein an angle at an interface between the base portion of the arm and each of the first extension and the second extension is obtuse.
  • (10) The dragline bucket according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the arm is angled forward, away from the rear wall of the dragline bucket, at an angle from 90 to 120 degrees, wherein the first extension of the arm is fixedly coupled to the first sidewall forward of the lip assembly, and wherein the second extension of the arm is fixedly coupled to the second sidewall forward of the lip assembly.
  • (11) The dragline bucket according to any one of (7) to (10), wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the first forward-facing drag lug extends in a forward direction more than each of the arm and the lip assembly, and wherein in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the second forward-facing drag lug extends in the forward direction more than each of the arm and the lip assembly.
  • (12) The dragline bucket according to any one of (7) to (11), wherein an internal working volume of the dragline bucket is from 3 m³ to 125 m³.
  • (13) A dragline bucket assembly comprising: a bottom wall; a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge portion; a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge portion; a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket; an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; and a dump anchor having a connection interface to connect to one or more ropes, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, the front and rear edges being planar, wherein the connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall portion and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall portion, wherein the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall portion and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall portion, wherein the second portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the first upper edge of the first sidewall portion, wherein the fourth portion is welded to the outside of the second sidewall portion below the second upper edge portion of the second sidewall portion, and wherein the dump anchor is the only dump anchor or part of a pair of dump anchors on the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.
  • (14) The dragline bucket assembly according to (13), wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar, are welded to the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.
  • (15) The dragline bucket assembly according to (13) or (14), wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor run parallel to a length of the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.
  • (16) The dragline bucket assembly according to any one of (13) to (15), wherein the only one dump anchor or the pair of dump anchors is centered along a length of the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.
  • (17) The dragline bucket assembly according to any one of (13) to (16), wherein each of the base portion, the first extension, and the second extension has a portion that is straight and linear, and wherein an angle at an interface between the base portion of the arm and each of the first extension and the second extension is obtuse.
  • (18) The dragline bucket assembly according to any one of (13) to (17), wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the arm is angled forward, away from the rear wall of the dragline bucket, at an angle from 90 to 120 degrees.
  • (19) The dragline bucket assembly according to any one of (13) to (18), wherein an internal working volume of the dragline bucket is from 3 m³ to 125 m³.
  • (20) The dragline bucket assembly according to any one of (13) to (19), wherein the first extension of the arm is welded to the first sidewall portion forward of the lip assembly, and wherein the second extension of the arm is welded to the second sidewall portion forward of the lip assembly.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearly specified otherwise, as used herein the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of “one or more.” The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B” or one or more of A and B″) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word “or” refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase “A, B, or C” refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like that may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components, points of reference, operations and/or functions as described herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particular configuration or orientation.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, assemblies, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A dragline machine comprising: a boom;a rigging assembly operatively coupled to the boom via plurality of ropes; anda dragline bucket having an inner working volume, the dragline bucket including: a bottom wall,a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge, the first sidewall having a first forward-facing drag lug,a second sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge, the second sidewall having a second forward-facing drag lug,a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket,an angular arch arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar, anda dump anchor having a connection interface, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, and a portion extending from the front edge to the rear edge, the front and rear edges being planar,wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar, are welded to the upper surface of the base portion of the angular arch arm.

2. The dragline machine according to claim 1, wherein the connection interface of the first extension has a first connection portion at an inside of the first sidewall and a second connection portion at an outside of the first sidewall,wherein the connection interface of the second extension has a third connection portion at an inside of the second sidewall and a fourth connection portion at an outside of the second sidewall,wherein the second connection portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall below the first upper edge of the first sidewall and not at the first upper edge of the first sidewall, andwherein the fourth connection portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall below the second upper edge of the second sidewall and not at the second upper edge of the second sidewall.

3. The dragline machine according to claim 1, wherein the dump anchor is the only dump anchor or part of a pair of dump anchors on the upper surface of the base portion of the angular arch arm.

4. The dragline machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the base portion, the first extension, and the second extension has a portion that is straight and linear, andwherein an angle at an interface between the base portion of the angular arch arm and each of the first extension and the second extension is obtuse.

5. The dragline machine according to claim 1, wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the angular arch arm is angled forward at an angle from 90 to 120 degrees,wherein the first extension of the angular arch arm is welded to the first sidewall forward of the lip assembly, andwherein the second extension of the angular arch arm is welded to the second sidewall forward of the lip assembly.

6. The dragline machine according to claim 1, wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the first forward-facing drag lug extends in a forward direction more than each of the angular arch arm and the lip assembly,wherein in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the second forward-facing drag lug extends in the forward direction more than each of the angular arch arm and the lip assembly, andwherein the working volume of the dragline bucket is from 3 m3 to 125 m3.

7. A dragline bucket comprising: a bottom wall;a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge portion, the first sidewall portion having a first forward-facing drag lug;a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge portion, the second sidewall portion having a second forward-facing drag lug;a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket;an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall portion, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall portion, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; anda dump anchor having a connection interface, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, and a portion extending from the front edge to the rear edge, the front and rear edges and the portion being planar,wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar and which extend parallel in a length direction of the arm, are fixedly coupled to the upper surface of the base portion of the arm,wherein the connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall portion and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall portion,wherein the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall portion and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall portion,wherein the second portion is fixedly coupled to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the first upper edge portion of the first sidewall portion, andwherein the fourth portion is fixedly coupled to the outside of the second sidewall portion below the second upper edge portion of the second sidewall portion.

8. The dragline bucket according to claim 7, wherein the dump anchor is the only dump anchor or part of a pair of dump anchors on the upper surface of the base portion of the arm, the dump anchor being centered along a length of the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

9. The dragline bucket according to claim 7, wherein each of the base portion, the first extension, and the second extension has a portion that is straight and linear, andwherein an angle at an interface between the base portion of the arm and each of the first extension and the second extension is obtuse.

10. The dragline bucket according to claim 7, wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the arm is angled forward at an angle from 90 to 120 degrees,wherein the first extension of the arm is fixedly coupled to the first sidewall portion forward of the lip assembly, andwherein the second extension of the arm is fixedly coupled to the second sidewall portion forward of the lip assembly.

11. The dragline bucket according to claim 7, wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the first forward-facing drag lug extends in a forward direction more than each of the arm and the lip assembly, andwherein in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the second forward-facing drag lug extends in the forward direction more than each of the arm and the lip assembly.

12. The dragline bucket according to claim 7, wherein an internal working volume of the dragline bucket is from 3 m3 to 125 m3.

13. A dragline bucket assembly comprising: a bottom wall;a first sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge portion;a second sidewall portion extending from the bottom wall and defining a second upper edge portion;a lip assembly at a front side of the bottom wall, the lip assembly having a plurality of ground engaging tools extending away from the bottom wall of the dragline bucket;an arm having a base portion, a first extension extending from the base portion to the first sidewall portion, and a second extension extending from the base portion to the second sidewall portion, the first and second extensions each having a connection interface, and the base portion having an upper surface that is planar; anda dump anchor having a connection interface to connect to one or more ropes, a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, the front and rear edges being planar,wherein the connection interface of the first extension has a first portion at an inside of the first sidewall portion and a second portion at an outside of the first sidewall portion,wherein the connection interface of the second extension has a third portion at an inside of the second sidewall portion and a fourth portion at an outside of the second sidewall portion,wherein the second portion is welded to the outside of the first sidewall portion below the first upper edge portion of the first sidewall portion,wherein the fourth portion is welded to the outside of the second sidewall portion below the second upper edge portion of the second sidewall portion, andwherein the dump anchor is the only dump anchor or part of a pair of dump anchors on the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

14. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 13, wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor, which are planar, are welded to the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

15. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the front edge and the rear edge of the dump anchor run parallel to a length of the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

16. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 13, wherein the only one dump anchor or the pair of dump anchors is centered along a length of the upper surface of the base portion of the arm.

17. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 13, wherein each of the base portion, the first extension, and the second extension has a portion that is straight and linear, andwherein an angle at an interface between the base portion of the arm and each of the first extension and the second extension is obtuse.

18. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 13, wherein in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket, the arm is angled forward at an angle from 90 to 120 degrees.

19. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 13, wherein an internal working volume of the dragline bucket is from 3 m3 to 125 m3.

20. The dragline bucket assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first extension of the arm is welded to the first sidewall portion forward of the lip assembly, andwherein the second extension of the arm is welded to the second sidewall portion forward of the lip assembly.