Material or article handling – Vertically swinging load support – Shovel or fork type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-11-06
Underwood, Donald W. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Vertically swinging load support
Shovel or fork type
C037S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312212
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a coupler assembly for construction machines and more particularly to configuring a hook portion of the coupler assembly to include an upper surface formed with a plurality of radii for attaching a variety of work implements to the construction machine.
BACKGROUND ART
Present construction machines, such as backhoe loaders, may incorporate manual or hydraulic couplers to release and attach various work implements or tools during normal daily operation. Typically, the couplers include hook portions for receiving the various work implements via a pin which generally has a standard diameter. However, it is sometimes necessary to attach specific work implements which utilize different pin diameters during the attachment process. In order to accommodate these specific work implements, it is evident that the couplers must be flexible for receiving various pin diameters.
Some designs have reconfigured the hook portions of the coupler to accommodate this flexibility. The hook portions include a pin receiving opening with a lower surface formed with a plurality of radii. The radii define a plurality of positions therealong which accommodate the seating of variable pin diameters. Due to the location of the radii on the lower surface, the various pins utilized are substantially seated in each position until the position of corresponding diameter is reached. Therefore, the pins are not automatically seated within the corresponding diameter position and may require additional force by an operator, increasing time and costs.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a coupler assembly is provided for attaching a work implement to a work machine. The coupler assembly comprises a plate assembly with front and rear end portions. An attachment plate is connected at the rear end portion of the plate assembly and extends therefrom. An attachment hook is connected at the front end portion of the plate assembly and extends therefrom in a spaced relationship with the attachment plate. The attachment hook has an upper jaw with a adjustment surface and a lower jaw with a locating surface. The lower jaw is spaced from the upper jaw for defining a pin receiving opening between the locating surface and the adjustment surface. The adjustment surface of the upper jaw defines a plurality of interconnected arcuate notches therealong.
In another aspect of the present invention, a coupler assembly is provided for attaching a work implement to a work machine. The coupler assembly comprises a pair of spaced support plates. A strengthening plate assembly extends between the spaced support plates for connection therewith. The strengthening plate assembly has front and rear end portions. An attachment plate is connected at the rear end portion of the strengthening plate assembly and extends therefrom opposite the spaced support plates. An attachment hook is connected at the front end portion of the strengthening plate assembly and extends therefrom opposite the spaced support plates in a spaced relationship with the attachment plate. The attachment hook has an upper jaw with a adjustment surface and a lower jaw with a locating surface. The lower jaw being spaced from the upper jaw for defining a pin receiving opening between the locating surface and the adjustment surface. The adjustment surface of the upper jaw defining a plurality of interconnected arcuate notches therealong.
The present invention includes a coupler assembly with an attachment hook which has upper jaw with an adjustment surface spaced from a lower jaw with a locating surface. The adjustment surface of the upper jaw includes a plurality of interconnected arcuate notches therealong so that a pin receiving opening is defined between the adjustment surface and the locating surface. The plurality of arcuate notches in the adjustment surface allow for a plurality of various pins to be seated within the pin receiving opening for attaching a work implement to a work machine. The location of the arcuate notches in the adjustment surface, in cooperation with the locating surface, allow for automatic alignment of the various pins in a corresponding sized arcuate notch. The automatic alignment virtually eliminates operator involvement during the alignment process, thereby reducing time and costs.
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John Deere Parts Catalog—PC2574 (Apr. 1998)—310E, 310SE and 315SE Backhoe Loaders.
Caterpillar Inc.
Charlton Diana L.
Underwood Donald W.
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