WO2012012828A1

WO2012012828A1 - Excavation tooth assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2012012828A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/000942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Hurley; Reece Attwood
Original assignee: Bradken Resources Pty Limited
Priority date: 2010-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-28
Publication date: 2012-02-02
Also published as: AP2013006740A0; PE20131186A1; BR112013002053A2; ZA201300711B; AU2011284785A1; CA2807076A1; US20130180137A1; CL2013000267A1

Abstract

A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, the projecting portion being configured with spaced apart side regions extending in the longitudinal direction and being defined by portions of the top and bottom surfaces and respective ones of the sides; and a mid region disposed between said side regions, wherein the mid region is recessed relative to the side regions along at least a portion of at least one of the top and bottom surfaces.

Description

EXCAVATION TOOTH ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to excavation tooth assemblies including shrouds and other types of wear assemblies. The present disclosure also relates to a digging assembly comprising more than one excavation tooth assembly. The present disclosure also relates to parts of the excavation tooth assemblies including tooth members and shroud wear members. The disclosure has application in land based digging equipment and is herein described in that context. However, it is to be appreciated that the disclosure has broader application for example in waterborne excavation equipment such as dredgers, and is therefore not limited to that application.

Background

Excavation teeth are provided on the digging edge of various pieces of digging equipment such as the buckets of front end loaders and the cutting bit of dredgers. The excavation teeth may include digging teeth that act as the main ground engaging parts of the digging equipment and shrouds disposed between the digging teeth which provide wear protection for the digging edge lip. Each excavation tooth is formed of a number of parts; for example, the digging teeth may comprise a point and an adapter (or nose) and in some arrangements an intermediate member between the point and the adapter. A shroud may comprise a shroud wear member and a base member. Each excavation tooth typically also comprises a lock or locks to lock the various parts together. The reason why excavation teeth are formed of a number of parts is to avoid having to discard the entire tooth when the only a part of the tooth is worn or broken.

Various types of locks, points, adapters, shroud wear members, base members, noses and intermediate members are known. However, it is always desirable to design new excavation tooth assemblies and parts thereof.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, the projecting portion being configured with spaced apart side regions extending in the longitudinal direction and being defined by portions of the top and bottom surfaces and respective ones of the sides; and a mid region disposed between said side regions, wherein the mid region is recessed relative to the side regions along at least a portion of at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. The tooth member may be a nose which has a coupling portion at the nose's second end which is welded into a recess formed in the digging edge of a bucket or dredger cutting bit or other digging equipment. In another embodiment, the tooth member may be an adapter, which may have arms extending from the second end of the body, the arms for fixing to the digging edge of a bucket or dredger cutting bit or other digging equipment. The adapter may alternatively incorporate some other mechanism for fastening the adapter to the digging edge of such digging equipment. In a further embodiment, the tooth member may be an intermediate member between a point and an adapter (or nose) in an excavation tooth assembly. In this embodiment, the body of the tooth member also incorporates a socket opening at the second end of the body and configured to receive a projecting portion of the adapter (or nose). In another embodiment, the tooth member may be a shroud wear member that is disposed between the digging teeth that comprise an adaptor and a point. The shroud wear member may be attached directly to the digging edge of the digging equipment or is connected to a base member that is mounted to the digging edge.

The mid region may be recessed in both the top and bottom surfaces of the body.

The recess defined by the mid region may extend from the first end of the body towards the second end of the body, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

In the embodiment where the mid region is recessed in both the top and bottom surfaces, the recesses are axially aligned in their longitudinal direction.

The top surface and the bottom surface may converge towards the first end of the body.

The first side region may define broad arcuate surface portions in the top and/or bottom surfaces of the projecting portion.

The second side region may define broad arcuate surface portions in the top and/or bottom surfaces of the projecting portion.

The broad arcuate surface portions may be convexly curved surfaces and may curve from one of the sides of the projecting portion to the mid region of the projecting portion.

The recess defined by the mid region may be a concavely curved surface, preferably forming a concave trough between the first and second side regions.

The first end of the body may finish in a front face. The top and bottom surfaces of the projecting portion may converge towards this front face. The front face may also extend between the first and second sides of the projecting portion.

In one embodiment, the front face is shaped with a convex curve between the first and second sides of the projecting portion. At the first side of the body is a first side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

At the second side of the body is a second side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

The first and second side surfaces may converge towards the first end of the body.

The first and/or second side surfaces may be concave between the top and bottom surfaces of the body.

The body of the tooth member may also incorporate a cavity for receiving a lock to lock the tooth member to a further tooth member.

The cavity may be located in the projecting portion of the tooth member is configured to be received.

The cavity may extend between the first and second sides of the body, in which embodiment the cavity opens in the first and second side surfaces.

The tooth member may have curved transition segments at the openings of the cavity, the transition segments curving from the side surfaces of the projecting portion to an internal surface defining the cavity.

The projecting portion may taper between the top and bottom surfaces. In one form, the projecting portion is wider at the top surface than at the bottom surface, but in another embodiment may be wider at the bottom surface than at the top surface.

In other embodiments, the side surfaces are planar and may or may not be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, the socket being configured with spaced apart side regions extending in the longitudinal direction and being defined by portions of the top and bottom inner surfaces and respective ones of the sides; and a mid region disposed between said side regions, wherein the mid region is reduced in height relative to the side regions by a projection along at least a portion of at least one of the top and bottom inner surfaces.

The socket of the tooth member of this second aspect of the invention is correspondingly shaped to the projecting portion of the tooth member of the first aspect of the present invention so as to receive the projecting portion therein.

The tooth member of this second aspect of the present invention may be a point in which the body of the tooth member incorporates a digging edge at the first end. In another embodiment, the tooth member may be an intermediate member between a point and a nose of the excavation tooth assembly. The body of the intermediate tooth member also incorporates a projecting portion at the first end which is configured to be received in the socket of the point.

The projection defining the mid region may extend from the second end of the body towards the first end of the body, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

The projection defining the mid region may comprise a ridge on each of the top and bottom inner surfaces. In this embodiment, the ridges may be axially aligned in their longitudinal direction.

The mid region may be reduced in height relative to the side regions by ridges on each of the top and bottom inner surfaces.

The top inner surface and the bottom inner surface may converge towards the first end of the body.

The first side region may define broad arcuate surface portions in the top and/or bottom inner surfaces of the socket.

The second side region may define broad arcuate surface portions in the top and/or bottom inner surfaces of the socket.

The broad arcuate surface portions may be concavely curved surfaces and may curve from one of the sides of the socket to the mid region of the socket.

The ridge may be a convexly curved ridge located between the first and second side regions.

The socket may finish towards the first end of the body in an inner end face. The top and bottom inner surfaces of the socket may converge towards this inner end face. The inner end face may also extend between the first and second sides of the socket.

In one embodiment, the inner end face is shaped with a concave curve between the first and second sides of the socket.

At the first side of the socket is a first inner side surface extending between the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface.

At the second side of the socket is a second inner side surface extending between the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface.

The first and second inner side surfaces may converge towards the first end of the body.

The tooth member may have a recess formed in at least one of the first and second side surfaces of the body.

Each recess may extend in the longitudinal direction of the body. The first and/or second inner side surfaces may be convex between the top and bottom inner surfaces of the socket. The socket may taper between the top and bottom inner surfaces. In one form, the socket is wider at the bottom inner surface than at the top inner surface, but in another embodiment may be wider at the top inner surface than at the bottom inner surface.

In other embodiments, the inner side surfaces are planar and may or may not be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, wherein the first end of the body finishes in a front face, which is shaped with a convex curve between the first and second sides of the projecting portion.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, wherein the socket finishes towards the first end of the body in an inner end face which is shaped with a concave curve between the first and second sides of the socket.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, wherein the projecting portion tapers between the top and bottom surfaces.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, wherein the socket tapers between the top and bottom inner surfaces.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, the sides defined by first and second side surfaces extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the side surfaces being planar and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

According to an further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, the sides defined by first and second inner side surfaces extending between the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface, the inner side surfaces being planar and substantially parallel and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

According to an further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, wherein the tooth member has a recess formed in at least one of the first and second side surfaces of the body.

The tooth member may have a recess in each of the first and second side surfaces of the body.

Each recess may extend in the longitudinal direction of the body.

Each recess may be shaped to enable the tooth member to fit in abutment against an adjacent tooth member when installed on digging equipment.

According to an further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a digging assembly for attachment to digging equipment, the digging assembly comprising at least first and second excavation tooth assemblies, each excavation tooth assembly comprising a tooth member configured to be attached to the digging equipment adjacent to the tooth member of another excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member of each excavation tooth assembly having at least one side surface that is shaped to enable the tooth member to be attached to the digging equipment with at least one of its side surfaces in fitment with the side surface of an adjacent tooth member.

The side surface of one of the adjacent tooth members may be recessed, in which embodiment the side surface of the other adjacent tooth member that is configured to be in fitment with the side surface of the first mentioned tooth member is projected. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of an intermediate member coupled to a nose in an excavation tooth assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a side view of the intermediate member and nose of Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the intermediate member and nose of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is an end view of the intermediate member of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a perspective end view of the intermediate member of Figure 1 ;

Figures 7 and 8 are upper and lower perspective views of the nose of

Figure 1 ;

Figures 9(A) and 9(B) are upper and lower perspective views of the projecting portion of a nose according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in isolation;

Figure 10 is a side view of the projecting portion of Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is a top view of the projecting portion of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a front end view of the projecting portion of Figure 9; Figure 13A.-13F. is a perspective, top, bottom, rear, side and front views of a shroud wear member of an excavation tooth assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the digging edge of excavator bucket with a plurality of the shroud wear members of Figure 13 attached to the digging edge, each shroud wear member having adjacent on either side an excavation tooth assembly according to the embodiment in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 15 is front view of the digging edge of Figure 14.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Referring to the Figures 1-8, there is shown a nose or adaptor and an intermediate member of an excavation tooth assembly, being a digging tooth assembly 1 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The nose 10 may be mounted to the digging edge of digging equipment (such as the buckets of front end loaders or the cutting bit of dredgers) by welding a rear portion of the nose into a recess formed in the digging edge. In another form, the nose may be integrally cast with a lip member that forms the digging edge of the digging equipment. The intermediate member 1 1 couples to the nose 10. Not shown in these Figures, but also forming a part of the excavation tooth assembly is a point which couples to the intermediate member 1 1 and comprises a digging edge which engages the ground in use. Also not shown but which forms a part of the excavation tooth assembly are locks for locking the intermediate member to the nose and the point to the intermediate member.

To couple the intermediate member to the nose, the nose 10 comprises a body having opposite first and second ends and a projecting portion 15 extending in the longitudinal direction towards the first end and the intermediate member 1 1 comprises a body having opposite first and second ends and a socket 16 which opens at the second end and extends in the longitudinal direction towards the first end, the projecting portion and socket configured to be coupled together with the projecting portion received in the socket. The socket 16 of the intermediate member 1 1 is therefore provided with a shape which generally corresponds to the shape of the projecting portion 15 of the nose 10. A cavity 14 is provided through the projecting portion 15 of the nose which aligns with openings 38, 39 through walls of the socket 16. A lock (not shown) is positioned relative to the cavity 14 and the openings 38, 39 to lock the intermediate member to the nose so as to retain the projecting portion 15 in the socket 16.

The body of the intermediate member also incorporates a projecting portion

17 which is configured to be received in a socket of the point of the excavation tooth assembly. A cavity 18 is provided in the projecting portion 17 for receipt therein of a lock (not shown) for locking the point to the intermediate member. The projecting portion 17 of the intermediate member could be designed to have features similar to the projecting portion 15 of the nose, which would mean that the socket of the point would have similar features to the socket 16 of the intermediate member 1 1 . However, in the embodiments shown in the Figures, the projecting portion 17 of the intermediate member is of a different design to the projecting portion 15 of the nose.

Referring now specifically to Figures 7 and 8, the projecting portion 15 of the nose 10 is shown in isolation. The projecting portion 15 has a top surface 20, a bottom surface 21 and opposite side surfaces 22, 23 extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The projecting portion 15 also has spaced apart side regions 24, 25 and a mid region 26 disposed between and spacing apart the side regions. The mid region 26 is recessed relative to the side regions 24, 25 along the top and bottom surfaces 20, 21 . This structure, which is based on an I-beam profile, provides both increased stability for the tooth members joined via this projecting portion structure as well as increased strength for the projecting portion in torsion. It is noted that although in the illustrated embodiment the mid region 26 is recessed along the length of the projecting portion 15, in other embodiments, the mid region may be recessed only part of the length of the projecting portion.

The side regions 24, 25 are defined by broad arcuate surface portions of the top and bottom surfaces 20, 21 which are convexly curved and extend the length of the projecting portion 15 from the first end of the nose body towards the second end of the nose body. Each broad arcuate surface portion curves between the top or bottom of one of the side surfaces to the mid region of the projecting portion. These broad arcuate surface portions reduce the contact pressure between the projecting portion 15 and the socket in which the projecting portion is received in use. The mid region 26 is defined by a concavely curved trough in each of the top and bottom surfaces 20, 21 which extend the length of the projecting portion 15. Each trough curves between the first and second side regions. The mid region 26 is located centrally in the projecting portion 15 with the troughs axially aligned such that a longitudinal axis of the mid region defines an axis of symmetry of the projecting portion 15.

The top and bottom surfaces 20, 21 of the projecting portion 15 converge towards the first end of the nose body, with the projecting portion ending in a front face 27 extending between the top and bottom surfaces as well as side surfaces 22, 23. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, this front face 27 is convex between the side surfaces 22, 23 of the projecting portion 15 so as to reduce contact pressure between the projecting portion 15 and the socket in which he projecting portion is received. However, in other embodiments, the front face may be substantially planar between the side surfaces.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the top and bottom surfaces 20, 21 are of approximately equal width along the length of the projecting portion 15. However, Figures 9-12 show another embodiment, in which the projecting portion tapers between the top and bottom surfaces with the bottom surface being wider than the top surface. Although, the projecting portion may be formed with the top surface wider than the bottom surface.

The opposite side surfaces 22, 23 also converge towards the first end of the nose body. The side surfaces 22, 23 are also each concavely shaped between the top and bottom surfaces 20, 21. This shaping reduces the contact pressure between the projecting portion 15 and the socket in which it is received when the excavation tooth is twisted. The concave side surfaces 22, 23 also provides a smoother geometric transition into the cavity 14 (ie. there are no sharp corners), which reduces the stresses around the cavity 14 both during manufacture and use of the nose. These stresses are also reduced by curved transition segments 28 at the openings of the cavity 14. The transition segments 28 curve from the side surfaces 22, 23 of the projecting portion 15 to an internal surface 29 defining the cavity.

It is noted that in other embodiments, the side surfaces are planar. In these embodiments, the side surfaces may or may not be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 5 and 6, the intermediate member 1 1 and in particular the socket 16 of the intermediate member is shown. The inner surface of the socket 16 is shaped to match and fit with the outer surface of the projecting portion 15 of the nose 10 as described above. The body of the intermediate member 1 1 comprises top, bottom and opposite side walls 30, 31 , 32, 33 having top, bottom and opposite inner side surfaces 34, 35, 36, 37 respectively which define the socket 16. Openings 38, 39 are provided through the side walls 32, 33 of the intermediate member body to the socket 16, so as to provide access to (and for engagement by if so designed) the lock which locks the intermediate member 1 1 to the nose 10.

When the excavation tooth assembly is assembled, clearance is provided between respective top and bottom surfaces of the projecting portion 15 and the socket 16 (although the apexes/antapexes of the side and mid regions may be in contact), with respective side surfaces substantially contacting one another. However, in other variations, the respective side surfaces may have clearance with the respective top and bottom surfaces are in substantial contact or all of the respective top, bottom and side surfaces may be in substantial contact.

The socket 16 also has spaced apart side regions 40, 41 and a mid region 42 disposed between and spacing apart the side regions. The mid region 42 is reduced in height relative to the side regions 40, 41 by projections in the form of ridges 50, 51 along the top and bottom inner surfaces 34, 35.

The side regions 40, 41 are defined by broad arcuate surface portions of the top and bottom inner surfaces 34, 35 which are concavely curved and extend the length of the socket 16 from the second end of the intermediate member body towards the first end of the intermediate member body. Each broad arcuate surface portion curves between the top or bottom of one of the inner side surfaces to the mid region of the socket.

The mid region 42 is defined by the convexly curved ridges 50, 51 on each of the top and bottom inner surfaces 34, 35 which extend the length of the socket 16. Each ridge 50, 51 curves between the first and second side regions. The mid region 42 is located centrally in the socket 16 with the ridges axially aligned such that a longitudinal axis of the mid region defines an axis of symmetry of the socket 16.

The top and bottom surfaces 34, 35 of the socket 16 converge towards the first end of the intermediate member body, with the socket ending in an inner end face 43 extending between the top and bottom inner surfaces as well as inner side surfaces 36, 37. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, this inner end face 42 is concave between the inner side surfaces 36, 37 of the socket 16 so as to reduce contact pressure between the socket 16 and the projecting portion received therein. However, in other embodiments, the inner end face may be substantially planar between the inner side surfaces.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 -8, the socket has top and bottom inner surfaces 34, 35 which are of approximately equal width along the length of the socket. However, in other embodiments, the socket may taper between the top and bottom inner surfaces 34, 35, with the top or bottom inner surface being wider than the other.

The opposite inner side surfaces 36, 37 also converge towards the first end of the intermediate member body. The inner side surfaces 36, 37 are also each convexly shaped between the top and bottom inner surfaces 34, 35. However, in other embodiments, the inner side surfaces are planar. In these embodiments, the inner side surfaces may or may not be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

In another variation to the embodiments shown in the Figures, the projecting portion of the nose may be formed with planar portions at the apexes of the side regions and/or the antapexes of the recessed mid region. Similarly, the socket of the intermediate member may be formed with planar portions at the antapexes of the recessed side regions and/or the apexes of the projection mid regions. The planar portions formed at the side regions of the projecting portion may be parallel to or slanted transverse to the longitudinal direction of the nose with respect to each other. The planar portions formed at the side regions of the socket may be similarly shaped. During use of the excavation tooth assembly, the top and bottom surfaces of the nose and the socket of the intermediate member undergo the greatest amount of wear. To extend the operational life of the nose and the intermediate member, repairs can be made in which weld is added to the worn surfaces to return them generally to their original shape. The planar portions at the apexes/antapexes provide a shape which is easier to gauge when conducting such repairs.

Referring now to Figures 13-15, an excavation tooth assembly, in the form of a shroud assembly 60, is shown. The shroud assembly 60 is particularly configured to protect the lip edge 61 of the digging equipment to which it is attached. In the embodiment shown in Figures 13-15 each shroud assembly 60 is disposed between and thus protects the lip edge 61 between digging teeth assemblies 1 according to the embodiment shown and described in respect of Figures 1-12. However, in other embodiments, there are no digging teeth assemblies provided on the digging equipment and the shroud assemblies 60 are disposed along the length of the lip of the digging equipment adjacent one another.

Each shroud assembly 60 comprises a shroud wear member 62 which is shown in detail in Figure 13. The shroud wear member 62 may be attached directly to the digging equipment about the lip edge 61. Alternatively, each shroud assembly may comprise a base member that is attached to the digging equipment and to which its respective shroud wear member 62 is mounted. Each shroud assembly also comprises a lock (not shown) which the locks the shroud wear member 62 in its attachment to the digging equipment.

The shroud wear member 62 has a first end and a second and comprises a projecting portion 65 extending in a longitudinal direction towards the first end and first and second legs 66, 67 extending away from the projecting portion and towards the second end. The first and second legs 66, 67 are spaced apart and configured to fit over and engage opposed surfaces of the digging equipment. A locking cavity 68 is provided in the first leg 66 for receiving the lock to lock the shroud wear member 62 to the digging equipment. The projecting portion 65 has a top surface 70, a bottom surface 71 and opposite side surfaces 72, 73 extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces 70, 71 converge towards the first end of the shroud wear member 62. The top surface 70 is also provided with self-sharpening pockets 74. These pockets 74 help maintain a pointed profile for the shroud wear member 62 is it wears so that it can still effectively penetrate into soil. The pockets 74 also have the additional benefit of lightening the shroud wear member 62. The top surface of the shroud wear member 62 may also be provided with a wear indicator in the form of a shallow recess which provides a quick visual indication of how much the shroud wear member 62 has worn during use and whether it might require replacement.

Each of the side surfaces 72, 73 of the projecting portion 65 are recessed. Each recess 75, 76 in the side surfaces extend in the longitudinal direction of the projecting portion 65 and have curved portions so that the side surfaces 72, 73 are somewhat concave between the top and bottom surfaces 70, 71 of the projecting portion. A particular advantage of the recesses 75, 76 in the side surfaces 72, 73 of the shroud wear member 62 is that enables the wear member 62 to be in close fitment with the side of adjacent tooth members attached to the digging equipment that projects of bulges. This is shown, for example, in Figures 14 and 15. As a result, the entire length of the lip edge of the digging edge is protected from wear.

It is to be understood that, unless indicated otherwise by express language or necessary implication, the tooth members including noses (adaptors), intermediate members, points and shroud wear members according to any embodiment of one aspect of the present disclosure may further encompasses any one or combination of features described above in relation to embodiments of other aspects of the present invention.

It is also to be understood that whilst certain passages of the above description have been made in respect of a three part digging tooth assembly comprising a nose, an intermediate member and a point, these embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be incorporated into a two part excavation tooth assembly comprising an adaptor and a point with no intermediate member disposed between the adaptor and the point.

It is to be further understood that features described above in respect of a digging tooth assembly may be incorporated into a shroud assembly and vice versa. That is, features described above in respect of a shroud assembly may be incorporated into a digging tooth assembly.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1 . A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, the projecting portion being configured with spaced apart side regions extending in the longitudinal direction and being defined by portions of the top and bottom surfaces and respective ones of the sides; and a mid region disposed between said side regions, wherein the mid region is recessed relative to the side regions along at least a portion of at least one of the top and bottom surfaces.

2. A tooth member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mid region is recessed in both the top and bottom surfaces of the body.

3. A tooth member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the recess defined by the mid region extends from the first end of the body towards the second end of the body, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

4. A tooth member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface of the projecting portion converge towards the first end of the body.

5. A tooth member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side region defines a broad arcuate surface portion in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the projecting portion and the second side region defines a broad arcuate surface portion in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces.

6. A tooth member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the broad arcuate surface portions are convexly curved surfaces.

7. A tooth member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess defined by the mid region is a concave trough between the first and second side regions.

8. A tooth member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end of the body finishes in a front face.

9. A tooth member as claimed in claim 8, wherein the front face is shaped with a convex curve between the first and second sides of the projecting portion.

10. A tooth member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at the first side of the body is a first side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and at the second side of the body is a second side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

1 1 . A tooth member as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second side surfaces converge towards the first end of the body.

12. A tooth member as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the tooth member has a recess formed in at least one of the first and second side surfaces of the body.

13. A tooth member as claimed in claim 12, wherein each recess extends in the longitudinal direction of the body.

14. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 10-13, wherein the first and/or second side surfaces are concave between the top and bottom surfaces of the body.

15. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 10-13, wherein the side surfaces are planar and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

16. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 10-15, wherein the body of the tooth member also incorporates a cavity for receiving a lock to lock the tooth member to a further tooth member, the cavity extending between the first and second sides of the body and opening in the first and second side surfaces.

17. A tooth member as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tooth member has curved transition segments at the openings of the cavity, the transition segments curving from the side surfaces of the projecting portion to an internal surface defining the cavity.

18. A tooth member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projecting portion tapers between the top and bottom surfaces.

19 A tooth member as claimed in claim 18, wherein the projecting portion is wider at the top surface than at the bottom surface.

20. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, the socket being configured with spaced apart side regions extending in the longitudinal direction and being defined by portions of the top and bottom inner surfaces and respective ones of the sides; and a mid region disposed between said side regions, wherein the mid region is reduced in height relative to the side regions by a projection along at least a portion of at least one of the top and bottom inner surfaces.

21 . A tooth member as claimed in claim 20, wherein the projection defining the mid region extends from the second end of the body towards the first end of the body parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

22. A tooth member as claimed in claim 20 or 21 , wherein the projection defining the mid region comprises a ridge on at least one of the top and bottom inner surfaces.

23. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 20-22, wherein the mid region is reduced in height relative to the side regions by ridges on each of the top and bottom inner surfaces.

24. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 20-23, wherein the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface converge towards the first end of the body.

25. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 20-24, wherein the first side region defines a broad arcuate surface portion in at least one of the top and bottom inner surfaces of the socket and the second side region defines a broad arcuate surface portion in at least one of the top and bottom inner surfaces of the socket.

26. A tooth member as claimed in claim 25, wherein the broad arcuate surface portions are concavely curved surfaces and curve from one of the sides of the socket to the mid region of the socket.

27. A tooth member as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein each ridge is a convexly curved ridge located between the first and second side regions.

28. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 20-27, wherein the socket finishes towards the first end of the body in an inner end face.

29. A tooth member as claimed in claim 28, wherein the inner end face is shaped with a concave curve between the first and second sides of the socket.

30. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 20-29, wherein at the first side of the socket is a first inner side surface extending between the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface and at the second side of the socket is a second inner side surface extending between the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface.

31 . A tooth member as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first and second inner side surfaces converge towards the first end of the body.

32. A tooth member as claimed in claims 30 or 31 , wherein the first and/or second inner side surfaces are convex between the top and bottom inner surfaces of the socket.

33. A tooth member as claimed in claims 30 or 31 , wherein the inner side surfaces are planar and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

34. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 20-33, wherein the socket tapers between the top and bottom inner surfaces.

35. A tooth member as claimed in claim 34, wherein the socket is wider at the bottom inner surface than at the top inner surface.

36. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, wherein the first end of the body finishes in a front face which is shaped with a convex curve between the first and second sides of the projecting portion.

37. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, wherein the socket finishes towards the first end of the body in an inner end face which is shaped with a concave curve between the first and second sides of the socket.

38. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, wherein the projecting portion tapers between the top and bottom surfaces.

39. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, wherein the socket tapers between the top and bottom inner surfaces.

40. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, the sides defined by first and second side surfaces extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the side surfaces being planar and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

41 . A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a socket extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end from an opening in the second end, the socket defined by a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface of the body; and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom inner surfaces, the sides defined by first and second inner side surfaces extending between the top inner surface and the bottom inner surface, the inner side surfaces being planar and substantially parallel and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

42. A tooth member of an excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member comprising a body having opposite first and second ends, and a projecting portion extending in a longitudinal direction towards said first end, the projecting portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, and opposite sides extending between said top and bottom surfaces, wherein the tooth member has a recess formed in at least one of the first and second side surfaces of the body.

43. A tooth member as claimed in claim 42, wherein the tooth member has a recess in each of the first and second side surfaces of the body.

44. A tooth member as claimed in claim 42 or 43, wherein each recess extends in the longitudinal direction of the body.

45. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 42-44, wherein the first and/or second side surfaces are concave between the top and bottom surfaces of the body.

46. A tooth member as claimed in any one of claims 42-45, wherein each recess is shaped to enable the tooth member to fit in abutment against an adjacent tooth member when installed on digging equipment.

47. A digging assembly for attachment to digging equipment, the digging assembly comprising at least first and second excavation tooth assemblies, each excavation tooth assembly comprising a tooth member configured to be attached to the digging equipment adjacent to the tooth member of another excavation tooth assembly, the tooth member of each excavation tooth assembly having at least one side surface that is shaped to enable the tooth member to be attached to the digging equipment with at least one of its side surfaces in fitment with the side surface of an adjacent tooth member.

48. A digging assembly as claimed in claim 47, wherein the side surface of one of the adjacent tooth members is recessed and the side surface of the other adjacent tooth member that is configured to be in fitment with the side surface of the first mentioned tooth member is projected.