Dipper handle assembly

A work machine, comprising:

• a base configured to be supported on a ground surface;
• a revolving frame coupled to the base and rotatable about an axis;
• a boom pivotally coupled to the revolving frame;
• a dipper handle assembly pivotally coupled to the boom, the dipper handle assembly comprising;
• a tube;
• and
• a yoke coupled to the tube, the yoke comprising:
• a collar extending along a collar axis, wherein a crowd pin aperture extends through the collar along a crowd pin aperture axis normal to the collar axis;
• a transition portion coupled to the collar, the transition portion extends outwardly from the collar at an oblique angle to distribute operational load stresses;
• a first arm comprising a first arm proximal end coupled to the transition portion and a first arm distal end spaced from the first arm proximal end;
• a first dipper pin lug disposed adjacent the first arm distal end and defining a first dipper pin lug aperture;
• a first pitch brace lug located intermediate the first arm proximal end and the first arm distal end and defining a first pitch brace lug aperture;
• and
• a second arm comprising a second arm proximal end coupled to the transition portion and a second arm distal end spaced from the second arm proximal end, wherein the second arm is spaced from the first arm;
• a second dipper pin lug disposed adjacent the second arm distal end and defining a second dipper pin lug aperture, wherein the first dipper pin lug aperture and the second dipper pin lug aperture are aligned along a dipper pin aperture axis extending parallel to the crowd pin aperture axis;
• and
• a second pitch brace lug located intermediate the second arm proximal end and the second arm distal end and defining a second pitch brace lug aperture, wherein the first pitch brace lug aperture and the second pitch brace lug aperture are disposed along a pitch brace aperture axis extending parallel to the crowd pin aperture axis;
• and
• wherein:
• a first virtual reference line extends between the crowd pin aperture axis and the dipper pin aperture axis;
• a second virtual reference line extends between the crowd pin aperture axis and the pitch brace aperture axis;
• and
• an included angle α between the first virtual reference line and the second virtual reference line is between approximately 25 to approximately 51 degrees.

A method of retrofitting a work machine having an existing dipper handle assembly with a replacement dipper handle assembly, the method comprising:

• removing the existing dipper handle assembly;
• providing the replacement dipper handle assembly with:
• a tube;
• and
• a yoke coupled to the tube, the yoke comprising:
• a collar extending along a collar axis, wherein a crowd pin aperture extends through the collar along a crowd pin aperture axis normal to the collar axis;
• a transition portion coupled to the collar, the transition portion extends outwardly from the collar at an oblique angle to distribute operational load stresses;
• a first arm comprising a first arm proximal end coupled to the transition portion and a first arm distal end spaced from the first arm proximal end;
• a first dipper pin lug disposed adjacent the first arm distal end and defining a first dipper pin lug aperture;
• a first pitch brace lug located intermediate the first arm proximal end and the first arm distal end and defining a first pitch brace lug aperture;
• and
• a second arm comprising a second arm proximal end coupled to the transition portion and a second arm distal end spaced from the second arm proximal end, wherein the second arm is spaced from the first arm;
• a second dipper pin lug disposed adjacent the second arm distal end and defining a second dipper pin lug aperture, wherein the first dipper pin lug aperture and the second dipper pin lug aperture are aligned along a dipper pin aperture axis extending parallel to the crowd pin aperture axis;
• and
• a second pitch brace lug located intermediate the second arm proximal end and the second arm distal end and defining a second pitch brace lug aperture, wherein the first pitch brace lug aperture and the second pitch brace lug aperture are disposed along a pitch brace aperture axis extending parallel to the crowd pin aperture axis;
• and
• wherein:
• a first virtual reference line extends between the crowd pin aperture axis and the dipper pin aperture axis;
• a second virtual reference line extends between the crowd pin aperture axis and the pitch brace aperture axis;
• and
• an included angle α between the first virtual reference line and the second virtual reference line is between approximately 25 to approximately 51 degrees;
• and
• coupling the replacement dipper handle assembly to the work machine.