Wear Runner Style Wear Member

This disclosure claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application 63/570,474, filed Mar. 27, 2024, titled, “Wear Runner Style Wear Member Assembly,” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This disclosure is generally directed to an improved wear member assembly for use on a material displacement apparatus. The wear member assembly may be affixed to a surface of a bucket to prevent wear of the bucket.

Material displacement apparatuses, such as excavating buckets found on construction, mining, and other earth moving or ground engaging equipment, are used to move or displace various kinds of material. However, during use the material displacement apparatus comes into abrasive, wearing contact with the earth or other material being displaced, causing the equipment to wear. Thus, material displacement apparatuses often have assemblies affixed to the surface of the bucket that improve their working life-span. These assemblies may wear before the bucket, and may be partially or entirely replaceable such that part or all of the assembly can be replaced after it is worn. Thus, these assemblies can reduce wear of the bucket itself, which may be more expensive to replace.

These assemblies may include a base that is welded or otherwise affixed to the surface of the bucket, a wear member that is placed on or over the base, and a locking pin assembly that couples the wear member to the base. The wear member and locking pin assembly may be removeable from the base so that the wear member and/or locking pin assembly can be replaced when they are worn during use. To improve functioning of the material displacement apparatus as a whole, the wear member assembly may be shaped to improve the operability and longevity of the wear member assembly and the surface of the bucket.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member attachable to a base on ground engaging equipment. The wear member may include a top wear surface, a bottom surface opposite the top wear surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the bottom surface, and a lock-receiver opening extending from the top wear surface to the bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first securement ramp configured to contact a corresponding securement ramp on a base, the internally disposed first securement ramp being spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member attachable to a base on ground engaging equipment. The wear member may include a top wear surface, a bottom surface opposite the top wear surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the bottom surface, and a lock-receiver opening extending from the top wear surface to the bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first securement ramp configured to contact a corresponding securement ramp on a base, the internally disposed first securement ramp being spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side. In some embodiments, the projection may also include a first push-out ramp, that is configured to contact a corresponding push-out ramp on the base. In some embodiments, the first push-out ramp may be parallel to the first securement ramp. In some embodiments, the projection may be spaced from the first lateral side and the second lateral side, may have a central longitudinal axis, and may be centered on the central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the projection may be spaced from a front end of the wear member and spaced from a back end of the wear member.

In some embodiments, the wear member may also include a wall projecting downward from the bottom surface and extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the wear member. In some embodiments, the wall may extend along a front end of the wear member. In some embodiments, the wall may extend along the front end, the first lateral side, and the second lateral side. In some embodiments, the wall may include a second securement ramp configured to contact a corresponding securement ramp on the base. In some embodiments, the wear member also includes a second push-out ramp that is configured to contact a corresponding push-out ramp on the base. In some embodiments, the second push-out ramp is parallel to the second securement ramp.

In some embodiments, the first securement ramp may be parallel an angle of the second securement ramp. In some embodiments, the wear member may also include a block extending downward from the bottom surface adjacent the lock-receiver opening. In some embodiment, a first part of the lock-receiver opening adjacent the block may have a first thickness and a different, second part of the opening may have a second thickness, where the first thickness is larger than the second thickness. In some embodiments, the lock-receiver opening may include a third ramp, where the third ramp is disposed on the first part of the lock-receiver opening and is configured to engage with a lock.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a base for stabilizing a wear member on ground engaging equipment. In some embodiments, the base may include a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and a lock-receiver opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The aperture may include a first securement ramp configured to contact a corresponding securement ramp on the wear member.

In some embodiments, the aperture may also include a first push-out ramp that is configured to contact a corresponding push-out ramp on the wear member. In some embodiments, the first push-out ramp may be parallel to the first securement ramp. In some embodiments, the base may also include a second securement ramp disposed along a front end of the base, where the second securement ramp is configured to contact a corresponding securement ramp on the wear member. In some embodiments, the base may include a second push-out ramp that is configured to contact a corresponding push-out ramp on the wear member. In some embodiments, the second push-out ramp may be parallel to the second securement ramp. In some embodiments, the second securement ramp may extend from a first lateral side of the base to a second lateral side. In some embodiments, the opening may include a third ramp extending to the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the opening may also include a recess, where the recess is proximate to and spaced from a bottom of the third ramp. In some embodiments, the opening may also include a pocket. In some embodiments, the opening may also include a ridge disposed adjacent to the pocket.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member assembly for ground engaging equipment. The wear member assembly may include a wear member, a weld base, and a locking pin. The wear member may include a first top wear surface, a first bottom surface opposite the top wear surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the bottom surface, and a first lock-receiver opening extending from the first top surface to the first bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first securement ramp spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side. The base may include a second top surface, a second bottom surface, an aperture extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface, and a second lock-receiver opening extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface. The aperture may include a second securement ramp configured to contact the first securement ramp on the wear member. The locking pin may be fittable in the first lock receiver opening and the second lock receiver opening. The first securement ramp of the wear member may contact the second securement ramp of the base. The first lock-receiver opening of the wear member aligns with the second lock-receiver opening of the base when the wear member is in a use configuration on the base.

In some embodiments, the wear member may also include a wall projecting downward from the bottom surface and extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the wear member. The wall may extend along a first front end of the wear member. In some embodiments, the base may include at least one twist control surface disposed on a perimeter of the base, where the at least one twist control surface is configured to contact an inner surface of the wall.

In some embodiments, the wall may include a third securement ramp. In some embodiments, the base may include a fourth securement ramp disposed along a second front end of the base. In some embodiments, the third securement ramp of the wear member may be configured to contact the fourth securement ramp of the base. In some embodiments, the first lock-receiver opening of the wear member may include a fifth ramp. In some embodiments, the second lock-receiver opening of the base may include a sixth ramp. In some embodiments, the fifth ramp of the wear member may align with the sixth ramp of the base such that the fifth ramp and the sixth ramp form a single ramp. In some embodiments, the locking pin may include a seventh ramp configured to slide along the single ramp.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method of assembling a wear member assembly. The method may include the step of providing a wear member including a first top surface, a first bottom surface opposite the first top surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the first bottom surface, and a first lock-receiver opening extending from the first wear top surface to the first bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first securement ramp, the internally disposed first securement ramp being spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side. The method may also include the step of providing a base including a second top surface, a second bottom surface, an aperture extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface, and a second lock-receiver opening extending from the second top surface to the second top surface. The aperture may include a second securement ramp configured to contact the first securement ramp on the wear member. The method may also include the step of placing the wear member on the base such that the first securement ramp of the wear member slides along the second securement ramp of the base. The method may also include the step of inserting a locking pin into the first lock-receiver opening of the wear member. The method may also include the step of rotating the locking pin to lock the wear member to the base.

In some embodiments, the second lock-receiver opening of the base may include a third ramp. In some embodiments, the second lock-receiver opening of the base may also include a recess, where the recess is proximate to and spaced from a bottom of the third ramp. In some embodiments, rotating the locking pin may include moving a flange of the locking pin into the recess such that the flange contacts a surface of the recess. In some embodiments, the second lock-receiver opening of the base also includes a pocket configured to fit the lock of the locking pin. In some embodiments, rotating the locking pin includes compressing a lock and decompressing the lock into the recess of the second lock-receiver opening. In some embodiments, the second lock-receiver opening of the base may also include a ridge disposed adjacent to the pocket, and the ridge may be configured to compress the lock. In some embodiments, the first lock-receiver opening of the wear member may include a fourth ramp and the flange of the locking pin may include a fifth ramp. In some embodiments, placing the wear member on the base may include aligning the fourth ramp with the third ramp such that the fourth ramp and the third ramp form a single ramp. In some embodiments, rotating the locking pin may include sliding the fifth ramp of the flange of the locking pin along the fourth ramp of the first lock-receiver opening of the wear member and the third ramp of the second lock-receiver opening of the base.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member attachable to a base on ground engaging equipment. The wear member may include a top wear surface, a bottom surface opposite the top wear surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the bottom surface, and a lock-receiver opening extending from the top wear surface to the bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first push-out ramp configured to contact a corresponding push-out ramp on a base, the internally disposed first push-out ramp being spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a base for stabilizing a wear member on ground engaging equipment. The base may include a top surface, a bottom surface, an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and a lock-receiver opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The aperture may include a first push-out ramp configured to contact a corresponding push-out ramp on the wear member.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member assembly for ground engaging equipment. The wear member assembly may include a wear member, a base, and a locking pin. The wear member may include a first top wear surface, a first bottom surface opposite the top wear surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the bottom surface, and a first lock-receiver opening extending from the first top wear surface to the first bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first push-out ramp spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side. The base may include a second top surface, a second bottom surface, an aperture extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface, and a second lock-receiver opening extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface. The aperture may include a second push-out ramp configured to contact the first push-out ramp on the wear member. The locking pin may be fittable in the first lock-receiver opening and the second lock-receiver opening. The first push-out ramp of the wear member may contact the second push-out ramp of the base. The first lock-receiver opening of the wear member may align with the second lock-receiver opening of the base when the wear member is in a use configuration on the base.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include A method of assembling a wear member assembly. The method may include providing a wear member. The wear member may include a first top surface, a first bottom surface opposite the first top surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a projection projecting downward from the first bottom surface, and a first lock-receiver opening extending from the first wear top surface to the first bottom surface. The projection may include an internally disposed first push-out ramp, the internally disposed first push-out ramp being spaced from the first lateral side and from the second lateral side. The method may also include providing a base. The base may include a second top surface, a second bottom surface, an aperture extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface, and a second lock-receiver opening extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface. The aperture may include a second push-out ramp configured to contact the first push-out ramp on the wear member. The method may also include placing the wear member on the base. The method may also include inserting a locking pin into the first lock-receiver opening of the wear member. The method may also include rotating the locking pin to lock the wear member to the base.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member attachable to a base on ground engaging equipment. The wear member may include a top wear surface, a bottom surface opposite the top wear surface, and a front wall extending downward from a first end of the wear member. A bottom out surface may extend downward from the bottom surface along an inner surface of the front wall and may be configured to contact a corresponding bottom out surface on the base. A securement ramp may extend downward from the bottom out surface along an inner surface of the front wall and may be angled relative to the bottom out surface.

In some embodiments, the bottom out surface may be perpendicular to the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the wear member may also include a sidewall extending downward from a first lateral side of the wear member. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the sidewall may be perpendicular to the bottom surface and may be configured to contact a corresponding surface on the base.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a base for stabilizing a wear member on ground engaging equipment. The base may include a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, a bottom out surface may extend along a first end of the base and may be configured to contact a corresponding bottom out surface on the wear member. A securement ramp may extend between the bottom out surface and the bottom surface and may be angled relative to the bottom out surface.

In some embodiments, the bottom out surface may be perpendicular to the bottom surface. In some embodiments, a twist control surface may extend along a first lateral side of the base and configured to contact a corresponding surface on the wear member.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a wear member assembly for ground engaging equipment. The wear member assembly may include a wear member, a weld base, and a locking pin. The wear member may include a first top wear surface, a first bottom surface opposite the first top wear surface, and a front wall extending downward from a first front end of the wear member. A first bottom out surface may extend downward from the first bottom surface along an inner surface of the front wall. A first securement ramp may extend downward from the first bottom out surface along an inner surface of the front wall and may be angled relative to the first bottom out surface. The base may include a second top surface and a second bottom surface. A second bottom out surface may extend along a second front end of the base. A second securement ramp may extend between the second bottom out surface and the second bottom surface and may be angled relative to the second bottom out surface. The first bottom out surface of the wear member may contact the second bottom out surface of the base. The first securement ramp of the wear member may contact the second securement ramp of the base.

In some embodiments, the first bottom out surface may be perpendicular to the first bottom surface and the second bottom out surface may be perpendicular to the second bottom surface. In some embodiments, the wear member may also include a sidewall extending downward from a first lateral side of the wear member. In some embodiments, the base may also include a twist control surface extending along a first lateral side of the base. The twist control surface may contact an inner surface of the sidewall.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method of assembling a wear member assembly. The method may include providing a wear member. The wear member may include a first top wear surface, a first bottom surface opposite the first top wear surface, a front wall extending downward from a first front end of the wear member, and a first lock-receiver opening extending from the first top wear surface to the first bottom surface. A first bottom out surface may extend downward from the first bottom surface along an inner surface of the front wall. A first securement ramp may extend downward from the first bottom out surface along an inner surface of the front wall and may be angled relative to the first bottom out surface. The method may also include providing a base. The base may include a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second lock-receiver opening extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface. A second bottom out surface may extend along a second front end of the base. A second securement ramp may extend between the second bottom out surface and the second bottom surface and may be angled relative to the second bottom out surface. The method may also include placing the wear member on the base. The method may also include inserting a locking pin into the first lock-receiver opening of the wear member. The method may also include rotating the locking pin to lock the wear member to the base.

In some embodiments, placing the wear member on the base may include sliding the first securement ramp along the second securement ramp. In some embodiments placing the wear member on the base may include contacting the first bottom out surface and the second bottom out surface. In some embodiments, the wear member may also include a sidewall extending downward from a first lateral side of the wear member. In some embodiments, the base may also include a twist control surface extending along a first lateral side of the base. In some embodiments, placing the wear member on the base may include contacting an inner surface of the sidewall and the twist control surface.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a locking pin assembly. The locking pin assembly may include a pin having a cavity, a first flange extending outward from the pin, a second flange extending outward from the pin, and a lock within the cavity. The second flange may be radially spaced from the first flange. The lock may include a locking tab and a compressible base coupled to the locking tab. The compressible base may be disposed within the cavity such that the tab extends outward from the cavity. The cavity may be radially spaced from the first flange and the second flange.

In some embodiments, the first flange may include a first gradual ramp on a top surface of the first flange and a first steep ramp on the top surface. The first steep ramp may be steeper than the first gradual ramp. The second flange may include a second gradual ramp on a top surface of the second flange and a second steep ramp on the top surface. The second steep ramp may be steeper than the second gradual ramp.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following drawings and detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following.

These Figures will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. It is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one or more implementations or Figures may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations or Figures of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The present disclosure is directed to an improved wear member assembly that may be attached to an implement, such as a bucket, usable in various material displacement or ground-engaging applications. Although the implement is referenced herein as a bucket, it could be any implement for material displacement and ground engaging applications. In some examples, the wear member assembly is shaped and configured to provide at least partially protect the bucket from the abrasive flow of materials in and around the bucket. In addition to providing improved protection to the bucket, the wear member assembly may also be easier to use and may be less expensive than conventional systems.

The wear member assembly includes a weld base, a wear member, and a locking pin assembly. In some embodiments, the wear member may be a wear runner. The weld base is affixed to a surface of the bucket. The wear runner can be placed over the weld base, thus covering the weld base and at least partially protecting it from abrasive wear. The wear runner may include one or more ramps that correspond to one or more ramps on the weld base. The ramps may allow the wear runner to slide onto the weld base at an angle. When the wear runner is fully seated on the weld base, the ramps may hold the wear runner to the weld base. For these reasons, the ramps may improve installation.

Additionally, the wear runner may include one or more push-out ramps that correspond to one or more ramps on the weld base. The push-out ramps of the wear runner may push against the push-out ramps on the weld base during removal of the wear runner from the weld base. Thus, the push-out ramps may improve removal.

The wear runner and weld base may have contact surfaces that may provide improved support to the coupling therebetween. In particular, the wear runner comprises an extension that corresponds to a depression on the weld base. When fully seated, the surfaces of the extension may contact one or more surfaces of the depression to stabilize and support the wear runner assembly.

The locking pin assembly, which may also be referred to as a locking pin, may be installed into aligned openings in the wear runner and weld base. The locking pin assembly includes one or more flanges and a lock. The lock can be compressed as the locking pin assembly rotates, then may decompress into a pocket in the weld base, thereby locking the wear runner to the weld base. The locking pin assembly may be easy to install and remove while providing improved locking between the wear runner and weld base.

is a perspective view of a wear runner assemblyaffixed to a surface of a bucketfor a material displacement apparatus, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The wear runner assembly includes a weld base(not shown in), a wear runner, and a locking pin assembly. The weld baseis present on the surface of the bucket. The weld basemay be attached to or formed as a part of the bucket. If attachable, the weld base may attached by any suitable method or process. For example, the weld basemay be welded to the surface of the bucket. The wear runnermay be disposed over part or all of the weld base. The locking pin assemblymay be disposed through aligned openings in the wear runnerand weld basethereby coupling the wear runnerto the weld base.

In some embodiments, the weld basemay be non-removably or permanently affixed to the surface of the bucketsuch as through integral formation or welding. The wear runnermay be removably coupled to the weld basevia the locking pin assembly. The locking pin assemblymay be removed from the aligned openings, thus allowing the wear runnerto be removed from the weld base. Thus, the wear runner assemblymay be designed so that the wear runnerand/or locking pin assemblyare more exposed, with the wear runner bearing the brunt of the abrasive, wearing contact from the material displaced during use of the material displacement equipment. The wear runnerand locking pin assemblymay be removed and replaced when the wear runnerand/or locking pin assemblyexperience sufficient wear. In this way, the wear runner assemblymay reduce or prevent wear of the underlying surface of the bucket.

In other embodiments, the weld basemay be removably affixed to the bucket. In yet other embodiments, the wear runnerand/or locking pin assemblymay be non-removably coupled to the weld base.

illustrate various views of a weld base, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.is a perspective view,is a top view, andis a bottom view of the weld base.is a zoomed-in perspective view of the front endof the weld base.is a zoomed-in perspective view of the ramped apertureof the weld base.is a zoomed-in cross-sectional view of the openingof the weld basetaken through theF-F line shown in. The weld baseincludes a top surfaceand a bottom surface. The openingextends from the top surfaceto the bottom surface. The openingmay be disposed at a center of the weld base. However, in other embodiments, the openingmay be off-center. The openingmay be shaped and sized to receive a locking pin assemblyand, thus, may be described as a lock-receiving opening.

The weld basehas a front endand back endopposite from the front end. A first sideand a second sideopposite the first sideextend from the front endto the back end. Although the terms “front” and “back” are used herein, it should be understood that these terms are for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In some embodiments, endmay be considered the “front” and endmay be considered the “back.” In some embodiments, the sides,may be considered the “front” and “back.” In other embodiments, none of the ends,or sides,may be considered “front” or “back.”

In some embodiments, the perimeter of the weld basemay be generally rectangularly shaped as shown in the illustrated embodiment. However, the weld basemay be any suitable shape. For example, the weld basemay be a square, hexagon, octagon, circle, oval, or any other suitable shape. The weld basemay also be symmetrical. For example, when viewed from the top, the weld basemay be nearly symmetrical along a horizontal axis running from the front endto the back end. In some cases, the weld basemay be symmetrical along the vertical axis and/or other axes.

The bottom of the weld basemay include one or more weld groovesdisposed around part or all of the perimeter of the weld base. The weld groovesmay be angled upward from the bottom surface. The weld groovesmay allow the weld baseto be welded to the surface of a bucket. The weld groovesmay also advantageously reduce the amount of material needed to form the weld basedecreasing the weight and lowering the cost.

There may be one or more cut outsin the sides,or ends,of the weld base. For example, there may be a cut outin each side,of the weld base. Here, the cut outscreate a more narrow central region compared to the wider ends. There may be twist control surfacesaround the cut outalong the sides,. The twist control surfacesmay be disposed at the end regions and may contact the wall of the wear runnerand prevent movement in the side to side or lateral direction, as described in more detail below. There may also be cut outsin the bottom surfaceof the weld base. The cut outsmay decrease the weight of the weld base, which may make it easier to handle and lower the cost

The weld basemay also include a pry feature. The pry featuremay be disposed proximate to or at the back endof the weld base. The pry featuremay be shaped to a allow a user to apply leverage to the wear runnerto pry the wear runneroff of the weld base. Thus, the pry featuremay be shaped to fit a tool such as a pry bar. The pry featuremay be any suitable shape. For example, the pry featuremay be a hole extending from the top surfaceto the bottom surfaceof the weld base, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the pry featuremay not extend completely through the weld basebut may be a cavity or recess within the top surface. In some embodiments, the pry featuremay be cut into the back endof the weld base. The pry featuremay have one or more inclined or angled surfaces or may have no angled surfaces.

The front endof the weld basemay include a front securement ramp. The front securement rampmay extend entirely along the front end(i.e. from the first sideto the second side). The front securement rampmay be angled upward from the bottom surfaceand outward away from the center of the weld base. A front ledgemay be formed between the top surfaceand the front securement rampunder which a front securement rampon the wear runnermay fit, as described in more detail below. The front rampmay be disposed at any suitable angle. For example, the front securement rampmay be disposed at an any angle in a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees. In some implementations, the angle is in a range of about 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and in some implementations about 40 degrees to 50 degrees. In some implementations, the angle is about a 45 degree angle. In some embodiments, the front securement rampmay only extend along part of the front end. In some embodiments, the front endmay include more than one front securement rampsor may not include a front securement ramp.

The front endmay also include a bottom out surface. In some implementations, the bottom out surfacemay face in a lateral direction on the base, and may act effectively as a thrust face. In some implementations, the bottom out surfacemay be vertical or may be angled to face in the lateral direction and may extend between the top of the front securement rampand the top surfaceof the weld base. The bottom out surfacemay contact and/or bear against a corresponding bottom out surface on the wear runner, as described in more detail below.

The weld basemay include a depressionthat is sunken with respect to the top surfaceof the weld base. The depressionmay include a front portion, a back portion, and a central portiondisposed between the front portionand the back portion. The front portionmay be located proximate to but spaced from the front endof the weld baseand the back portionmay be located proximate to but spaced from the back endsuch that the depressionextends along most of the length of the weld base. However, in some embodiments, the depressionmay extend along only a smaller part of the weld base. In some embodiments, there may be multiple smaller depressionsrather than a single larger depression. The depressionmay have a first sideproximate the first sideof the weld baseand a second sideproximate the second sideof the weld base. The sides,of the depressionmay be spaced from the sides,of the weld base. In some embodiments, the sides,of the depressionmay be disposed along the sides,of the weld base. The front portion, center portion, and back portionmay be descriptive and are not intended to be limiting.

The front portionof the depressionmay include a front push-out ramp. The front push-out rampmay extend from the top surfacedownward towards the back endof the weld base. The front push-out rampmay generally follow or align with the front securement rampon the front endof the weld base. In some embodiments, the front push-out rampis parallel to the front securement ramp. In other embodiments, the front push-out rampis disposed at a different angle than the front securement ramp. The front push-out rampmay extend completely from the first sideof the depressionto the second side. In some embodiments, the front push-out rampmay extend only partially between the sides,. In some embodiments, there may be multiple front push-out rampsdisposed between the sides,.

The depressionmay include an inclined surfacethat extends upward from the bottom of the front push-out ramptowards the back endof the weld base. The inclined surfacemay be disposed in the front portionof the depressionproximate to the front push-out ramp. In some embodiments, the inclined surfaceis spaced from the front push-out ramp, but, in other embodiments, the inclined surfacemay be disposed directly adjacent to the front push-out ramp. In some embodiments, the depressiondoes not include an inclined surfacebut instead includes a flat or curved surface.