Excavating – Combined or convertible – Having quick-connect coupling
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-23
2001-10-23
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Excavating
Combined or convertible
Having quick-connect coupling
C414S723000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305106
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to excavation equipment and more particularly to apparatus for releasably coupling an attachment to a mounting bracket on an operating arm of an excavating machine.
2. Description of Related Art
Excavators are generally equipped with a work implement or an attachment for performing useful work. Such attachments include digging and material handling buckets, drills, hydraulic hammers, and the like. Excavators typically include an operating arm, which have work implements attached thereto.
During operation of the excavator, it is often desirable to exchange one work implement for another. Thus, it may be necessary, depending upon the circumstances at hand, to remove an attachment in exchange for a more suitable work implement.
Disconnecting a work implement in exchange for another is often difficult, dangerous and time consuming. An operator of the operating arm must leave the cab of the excavator, disconnect a number of pins, bolts, or other types of fasteners that mechanically couple the attachment to the operating arm. The operator must then return to the cab of the excavator and reposition the operating arm adjacent the “new” work implement. After repositioning the operating arm, the operator must again leave the cab of the excavator and mechanically couple the “new” work implement to the operating arm by reconnecting a number of pins, bolts, or other types of fasteners. During the time in which to exchange or swap work implements, the excavator is idle thereby decreasing the efficiency or productivity of the excavator. As well, when disconnecting and reconnecting various work implements, the operator may be subjected to harsh environments, thereby posing a serious risk to the operator's well-being.
In order to safely and quickly couple and decouple work implements, a variety of devices have been designed: U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,010 to Hulden, F., U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,325 to Kuzutani, K., U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,850 to Horton, L. A., U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,738 to Warthold, J., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,633 to Barden, W. M. Such devices typically include an apparatus that attempts to quickly and easily mechanically couple and decouple the work implement to and from the operating arm. However, these devices are relatively complex mechanically and tend to rely on a large number of components, thereby increasing the costs associated with the excavator and decreasing the reliability of operation in the harsh operating environment of an excavator.
What is needed therefore is a quick, reliable and safe coupling device, which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks. What is further required is a quick coupling device that is less mechanically complex relative to other devices, which have heretofore been designed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the above needs by providing an apparatus for quickly, reliably and safely releasably coupling an attachment to a mounting bracket on an operating arm of an excavating machine.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for releasably coupling an attachment to a mounting bracket on an operating arm of an excavating machine. The apparatus may include a wedge member movable between a locked position to lock the attachment to the mounting bracket and a released position to permit removal of the attachment from the mounting bracket; an extendable actuator that is movable between a collapsed position and an extended position to move the wedge member the locked and released positions, respectively; and at least one guide member cooperating with the wedge member to guide movement of the wedge member between the locked and released positions. The wedge member may have opposing wedge end portions engageable with the attachment and the mounting bracket to define the locked position and an intermediate portion connected to a distal end of the actuator, the intermediate portion being shaped to provide clearance for the extendable actuator to move to the collapsed position.
The apparatus may further include a base plate connected to a proximal end of the actuator to permit the actuator to connect to the mounting bracket.
The at least one guide member may be an elongated threaded member to threadedly connect the base plate to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may form an S-group quick coupling with the attachment.
The extendable actuator may be a hydraulic cylinder and it may include a lock check valve. Further, the extendable actuator may be operable remotely.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for releasably coupling an attachment to a mounting bracket on an operating arm of an excavating machine. The apparatus may include a wedge member movable between a locked position to lock the attachment to the mounting bracket and a released position to permit removal of the attachment from the mounting bracket; an extendable actuator movable between a collapsed position and an extended position to move the wedge member between the locked and released positions, respectively; at least one guide member cooperating with the wedge member to guide movement of the wedge member between the locked and released positions; and a base plate connected to a proximal end of the actuator to permit the actuator to connect to the mounting bracket. The wedge member may have opposing wedge end portions engageable with the attachment and the mounting bracket to define the locked position and an intermediate portion connected to a distal end of the actuator, the intermediate portion being shaped to provide clearance for the extendable actuator to move to the collapsed position.
The at least one guide member may be an elongated threaded member to threadedly connect the base plate to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may form an S-group quick coupling with the attachment.
The extendable actuator may be a hydraulic cylinder and it may include a lock check valve. Further, the extendable actuator may be operable remotely.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5024010 (1991-06-01), Hulden
patent: 5692325 (1997-12-01), Kuzutani
patent: 5966850 (1999-10-01), Horton
patent: 5967738 (1999-10-01), Warthold
patent: 6058633 (2000-05-01), Barden
Kolisch Hartwell Dickinson & McCormack & Heuser
Novosad Christopher J.
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