Material or article handling – Vertically swinging load support – Shovel or fork type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-04
2001-07-03
Underwood, Donald W. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Vertically swinging load support
Shovel or fork type
C037S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254331
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a coupler for connecting a bucket, a breaker, a compactor or some other attachment to the free end of a boom or working arm or the like on a piece of work equipment, such as a backhoe, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,644, granted Dec. 17, 1996, to David Droegemueller, and entitled, “Coupling System”, discloses a prior art coupler for connecting an attachment to the free end of a boom or working arm on a backhoe, etc. This patent also describes the prior art that preceded the invention disclosed by the patent. The invention disclosed by the patent require two lock pins
30
and the assertion of these lock pins
30
through aligned openings in members
21
,
28
,
32
on a first side of the attachment and in members
22
,
28
,
32
on the opposite side of the attachment. A first hook structure
24
is positioned to engage a first coupler pin
17
on the attachment. A second hook structure
26
is positioned to receive a second coupler pin
18
on the attachment
12
. Then, the hook structure
26
is swung upwardly to move the members
28
upwardly through openings
11
A, and place the pin receiving openings into axial alignment on both sides of the attachment. Then, the lock pins
30
are inserted through the aligned openings to lock the hook structure
26
to the sidewalls
21
,
22
of the coupler
10
.
There is a need for an easier-to-use coupler that allows a quick and automatic coupling of the attachment to the coupler without anyone having to insert lock pins through aligned openings. A principal object of the invention is to provide such an improved coupler.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,644 and the prior art described in it should be carefully studied for the purpose of putting the present invention into proper prospective with respect to the prior art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, a coupler is connectable to the free end of a boom and to a boom attachment, for connecting the boom attachment to the free end of the boom, by use of a pair of parallel, spaced apart coupler pins on the attachment. In some embodiments, the coupler comprises a coupler frame including a forward end, a rearward end and a bottom plate. The bottom plate has a forward end slot extending through it. A rear end hook structure is connected to the frame below the bottom plate. The rear end hook structure includes a rearwardly opening rear hook throat.
A front end hook structure includes a first hook throat and an opposite pivot end. The pivot end is pivotally connected to the frame below the bottom plate, for pivotal movement of the front end hook structure between an up position in which the front end hook throat opens forwardly and a down position in which the front end hook structure and the front hook throat are angled downwardly from the bottom plate.
A top hook (or hooks) is provided on the front hook structure. Each top hook extends upwardly from the front end hook structure through a forward end slot in the bottom plate when the front end hook structure is in its up position. Each top hook includes a top hook tine that is spaced above the bottom plate when the front hook structure is in its up position, to provide a top hook throat between the top hook tine and the bottom plate. A lock member is provided above the bottom plate. The lock member is movable between a first position in which it is spaced rearwardly from the top hook throat and a second position in which a portion of the lock member is located within the top hook throat, between the top hook tine and the bottom plate, for locking the front hook structure in its up position.
The boom and the coupler can be moved together to position the rear coupler pin attachment within the rear hook throat, and further to position the front coupler pin of the attachment within the front hook throat when the front hook structure is in its down position. This construction allows the boom and coupler to be moved relative to the attachment to swing the front hook structure up into its up position and move the top hook into and through the forward end slot, so as to position the top hook tine and the top hook throat above the bottom plate. This allows the lock member to be moved from its first position to its second position to place a portion of the lock member in the top hook throat. So positioned, the lock member functions to block downward movement of the front hook structure from its up position to its down position.
According to another aspect of the invention, the rear hook structure comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart hook members, each including a portion of the rear hook throat.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the front end hook structure comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart hook members, each including a portion of the front hook throat.
The lock member may be a swing arm having a first end portion that is pivotally attached the coupler frame and a second end portion which includes the portion of the lock member that is within the top hook throat when the lock member is in its second position. A spring may be provided and positioned to bias the swing arm lock member into its second position.
According to another aspect of the invention, the lock member is a member that reciprocates into and out from the top hook throat. This member may include a spring for biasing it into a position within the hook throat.
According to still another aspect of the invention, the lock member, whether it be a swing member or a front-to-rear reciprocating member, may be moved by a linear fluid motor or actuator. Such actuator may be used by itself or with a biasing spring or springs.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the front hook structure may include two top hook tines and the bottom plate may include two spaced apart slots, each for receiving a different one of the tines.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the coupler may be provided with a gauge rod that is connected to the lock member and extends rearwardly of the rearward end of the coupler frame. The rear end portion of the gauge member and a rear portion of the coupler frame combine to indicate to an operator positioned behind the boom when the lock member is in its second position.
These and other advantages, objects and features will become apparent from the following best mode description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims, all of which are incorporated herein as part of the disclosure of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2963183 (1960-12-01), Przybylski
patent: 4480955 (1984-11-01), Andrews et al.
patent: 5010962 (1991-04-01), Bloom, Jr.
patent: 5147173 (1992-09-01), Fauber et al.
patent: 5332353 (1994-07-01), Arnold
patent: 5494396 (1996-02-01), Geier et al.
patent: 5584644 (1996-12-01), Oroegemuelles
patent: 5890871 (1999-04-01), Woerman
Hart Michael D.
Pisco Walter J.
Barnard Delbert J.
Pacific Services & Mfg.
Underwood Donald W.
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