Excavating – Combined or convertible – Having quick-connect coupling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-28
2001-10-16
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Excavating
Combined or convertible
Having quick-connect coupling
C414S723000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301811
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
This invention relates in general to a coupler for a heavy-duty machine to enable the quick coupling and decoupling between a boom on the machine and a stick having a tool so that the machine may be easily used for sticks having different working tools, and more particularly to a coupler having a pair of coupling members having a series of sensors and a unique locking mechanism to firmly lock the coupling members together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, it has been well known to provide a quick connect and disconnect coupling between the boom of a heavy duty machine and a stick, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,938,651, 5,108,252 and 5,484,250. These prior known coupling members include a female coupling member on the stick and a male coupling member attached to the boom. The female member includes a pin that may be engaged by either a grabber or a picker on the male coupling member to initiate engagement between the coupling members and allow the coupling members to be pivoted into mating interengagement. Additionally, the coupling members described in the above patents include locking means for locking the members together by articulated T-bars; threaded shafts and nuts; and wedge-shaped locking bars driven by a motor and gearbox assembly. These locking means are not always reliable during coupling and uncoupling operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an improvement over the above referred to prior known couplers in that the locking mechanism for locking the two members together is unique and an improvement over the locking members of the prior known couplers. In particular, the locking mechanism includes a pair of planetary gear assemblies and a brake, in addition to the motor, to drive and securely lock the wedge-shaped locking bars on the male member in locked positions. The coupling members also include proximity sensors to indicate when to properly activate the locking mechanism and indicate when the coupling members are locked. Additionally, either or both the picker and grabber of the male coupling member includes a latch to prevent accidental and unwanted separation of the coupling members during the coupling and uncoupling process.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved coupler for use between the boom of a heavy-duty machine and a stick with a tool which includes a unique locking mechanism that is provided with wedge-shaped locking bars and a brake to provide a wedge locking function between the members of the coupler.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved locking mechanism that utilizes planetary gears to drive wedge-shaped locking bars on a male coupling member into engagement with sockets on a female coupling member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved locking mechanism that includes sensors to indicate when the coupling members are properly positioned to operate the locking mechanism and lock the coupling members together.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide latches on the picker and/or the grabber of the male coupling member to prevent the coupling members from accidentally separating during the coupling and uncoupling process.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide latches on the picker and/or grabber of the male coupling member to maintain the pin of the female coupling member in place during the “coupling” process to assist in eliminating any excess play between the coupling members and any accidental premature disengagement.
A further object of the present invention is to provide sensors to indicate when the coupling members are properly locked or unlocked.
It is a further object of the present invention to use a roller pin to be engaged by the grabber or the picker to reduce the wear on the pin and the coupling members.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for the stick to prevent the stick from falling over when the stick is laying on the ground.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve that diverts fluid from the high pressure line that goes to the stick to operate the motor.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
REFERENCES:
patent: 5360313 (1994-11-01), Gilmore, Jr. et al.
patent: 5484250 (1996-01-01), Gilmore, Jr. et al.
patent: 5890871 (1999-04-01), Woerman
patent: 5915837 (1999-06-01), Brown et al.
patent: 6042295 (2000-03-01), Barden
Gilmore Industries, Inc.
Pezzuto Robert E.
Zickert Lloyd L.
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