Dipper assembly and parts thereof

A latch assembly for use with a dipper assembly of a mining shovel, said latch assembly comprising:

• (a) a latch keeper configured to be associated with a dipper body proximate an open dipper bottom of the dipper body;
• and
• (b) a latch member configured to be coupled to a dipper door for engaging with the latch keeper and releasably securing the dipper door in a closed position closing the open dipper bottom, said latch member comprising:
• (i) an outer surface,
• (ii) an opposed inner surface configured to face the dipper door,
• (iii) a pair of opposed side edges,
• (iv) an upper end edge,
• (v) an opposed lower end edge, and
• (vi) a recessed portion defined in the lower end edge, said recessed portion defined between two opposed side edge portions and a protruding portion of the inner surface protruding downwardly from the lower end edge;
• and
• (c) a roller assembly mountable within and at least partially accommodated by the recessed portion of the latch member, said roller assembly comprising at least one roller for assisting the latch member in disengaging with the latch keeper and to at least partially reduce wear on the latch member,
• wherein, in use, the protruding portion of the inner surface at least partially shield the roller assembly from fines and other debris from the dipper body from clogging the at least one roller and preventing rotation of the at least one roller when the latch member is disengaging from the latch keeper.