Protective system, assembly, and method

Abstract

A protection system for protecting wire ropes may include a gusset plate(s), a bracket(s), and/or a protection device(s). The gusset plate(s) and bracket(s) act like stops for the protection device(s). Each protection device includes a pair of pieces that when assembled form a tube to go about a cable wire for a cable shovel.

1 . A rope protection system for a rope-controlled excavating bucket, the rope protection system comprising:
 a rope connecting device secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and receiving a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket; and   a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture to receive and shield the rope.   
     
     
         2 . The rope protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the rope protection device includes at least two separable pieces that can be assembled about the rope to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device. 
     
     
         3 . The rope protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the rope connecting structure is a bail, a dragline bucket arch, or an equalizer. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rope connecting device includes at least one support that engages a bottom of the tubular rope protection device to act as a stop for outward movement of the rope protection device. 
     
     
         5 . The rope protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the rope connecting device includes (i) a body pivotally connected to the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface that supports the rope protection device, and (ii) an outer guide secured to the body to overlie part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a bracket to minimize lateral movement of the rope, the bracket connecting to the body of the rope connecting device and the outer guide, the bracket located opposite the support to limit outward movement of the rope. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the outer guide is curved outward to deflect material away from the rope. 
     
     
         8 . The rope protection system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the at least two separable pieces of the rope protection device includes a lengthwise rail or a groove that fits into a groove or rail in the other respective piece of the at least two separable pieces. 
     
     
         9 . A rope protection system for protecting a rope on a rope-controlled excavating bucket, the rope protection system comprising a rope connecting structure including:
 a body pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and configured to capture a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface; and   an outer guide secured to the body to overlie a part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.   
     
     
         10 . The rope protection system of  claim 9 , further comprising a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture for receiving the rope to shield the rope and to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the rope connecting device includes at least one support that engages a bottom of the tubular rope protection device to act as a stop for outward movement of the rope protection device. 
     
     
         12 . The rope protection system of  claim 10 , wherein the rope protection device includes at least two separable pieces that can be assembled about the rope. 
     
     
         13 . The rope protection system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least two separable pieces of the rope protection device includes a rail or a groove that fits with a groove or rail in the other of the at least two separable pieces. 
     
     
         14 . The rope protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the rope connecting structure is a bail or an equalizer. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a bracket to minimize lateral movement of the rope, the bracket connecting to the body of the rope connecting device and the outer guide, the bracket located opposite the support to limit outward movement of the rope. 
     
     
         16 . The rope protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the outer guide is curved outward to deflect material away from the wire rope. 
     
     
         17 . A rope protection device for use on a rope-controlled excavating bucket, the rope protection device comprising:
 a plurality of separate pieces that when assembled form a protective structure having a tubular aperture to receive a rope of a rope-controlled bucket with sufficient looseness to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the protection device and to shield the rope.   
     
     
         18 . The rope protection device of  claim 17 , wherein each of the separate pieces includes a lengthwise rail or groove that fit with the rail or grove on at least one of the other separate pieces. 
     
     
         19 . A rope-controlled excavating bucket comprising:
 a plurality of walls defining a containment portion for gathering earthen material to be excavated; and   a rope connecting structure including a body pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and configured to capture a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface, and an outer guide secured to the body to overlie a part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.   
     
     
         20 . A rope-controlled excavating bucket comprising:
 a plurality of walls defining a containment portion for gathering earthen material to be excavated;   a rope connecting device secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and receiving a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket; and   a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture to receive and shield the rope and to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device.