Rope cam dipper

1. A mining machine assembly comprising:

a dipper arm;

a dipper coupled to the dipper arm, the dipper having a main body, the main body having a front side, a back side, a bottom side, and a top side, wherein a ground engagement portion extends from the front side, the ground engagement portion including digging teeth; and

a hoist rope attachment assembly coupled to the dipper, wherein the hoist rope attachment assembly includes

a cam having a rope guide, and

a cam supporting structure coupled to both the dipper arm and to the cam, wherein the cam supporting structure is configured to rotate with the dipper, such that the cam remains at a constant position relative to the main body of the dipper, regardless of an orientation of the main body.

2. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the dipper includes two flanges extending from the main body, and wherein at least a portion of the cam supporting structure extends between the two flanges on the dipper.

3. The mining machine of claim 2 , further comprising cartridges inserted through each of the two flanges on the dipper to hold the cam supporting structure in place on the dipper.

4. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the dipper arm includes first flanges, and wherein the cam supporting structure includes a cam brace having second flanges that are coupled to the first flanges on the dipper arm.

5. The mining machine of claim 4 , wherein the second flanges are coupled to the first flanges with pins, and wherein the cam supporting structure is configured to rotate with the dipper via the pins.

6. The mining machine of claim 4 , further comprising standard pitch braces coupled to the first flanges on the dipper arm.

7. The mining machine of claim 6 , wherein the dipper includes third flanges extending from the main body, and wherein the standard pitch braces are coupled to the third flanges.

8. The mining machine of claim 7 , wherein the standard pitch braces are coupled to the third flanges with pins.

9. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the cam extends in a direction generally away from the digging teeth.

10. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the cam is a first cam, and wherein the hoist rope attachment assembly includes a second cam, wherein each of the first cam and the second cam includes a first plate, a second plate, and a rope guide disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

11. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the cam supporting structure includes a pitch brace coupled to both the dipper arm and to the cam.

12. The mining machine of claim 11 , wherein the pitch brace is additionally coupled to the dipper.

13. The mining machine of claim 12 , wherein the dipper includes a flange extending from the main body, and wherein the pitch brace is coupled directly to the flange.

14. The mining machine of claim 11 , wherein the dipper arm includes a first flange and the dipper includes a second flange, wherein the pitch brace is coupled to both the first flange and the second flange.

15. The mining machine of claim 14 , wherein the dipper includes a third flange, wherein the cam supporting structure additionally includes a support arm coupled to both the third flange on the dipper and to the cam.

16. The mining machine of claim 15 , wherein the support arm is welded to the third flange.

17. A hoist rope attachment assembly configured to be coupled to a dipper of a mining machine, the hoist rope attachment assembly comprising:

a cam having a first plate, a second plate, and a rope guide disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the rope guide includes a curved surface, and wherein the first and second plates in combination with the curved surface define a channel configured to receive a hoist rope; and

a cam supporting structure for coupling the cam to the dipper.

18. The hoist rope attachment assembly of claim 17 , wherein the cam supporting structure includes a cam brace having a flange that is configured to be coupled to a flange on the dipper.

19. The hoist rope attachment assembly of claim 17 , wherein the cam supporting structure includes a pitch brace that is coupled to the cam, and is configured to be coupled to both the dipper and to a dipper arm.

20. The hoist rope attachment assembly of claim 17 , wherein the cam supporting structure includes a support arm coupled to the cam and configured to be coupled to a flange on the dipper.