Earth-moving machine bucket coupler

Details Earth-moving machine bucket coupler Earth-moving machine bucket coupler

1999-08-31

2001-06-05

Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 2167)

Material or article handling

Vertically swinging load support

Shovel or fork type

C037S468000, C172S272000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241455

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present relates to earth-moving machines such as hydraulic excavators and backhoes. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for releasably coupling a bucket to a dipper stick.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Earth-moving machines, such as hydraulic excavators and backhoes, are commonly used to move and excavate earth and other materials. Such machines typically include a chassis, a boom rotatably and pivotably coupled to the chassis, an arm or dipper stick pivotably coupled to the boom and a bucket pivotably coupled to the dipper stick. To pivot the bucket relative to the dipper stick, the dipper stick additionally supports a bucket pivot actuation linkage composed of a plurality of links coupled at one end to the dipper stick and coupled at another end to the bucket. The bucket pivot actuation links are pivoted relative to one another by a hydraulic cylinder assembly to thereby pivot the bucket about a main pivot axis. Pivotal movement of the bucket by the hydraulic cylinder assembly creates a digging or break out force. This digging force is generally defined as the force generated by the hydraulic cylinder assembly tangent to the arc or radius extending from the main pivot axis to the tip of the bucket's working edge or teeth. See S.A.E. Standard J1179, dated February 1990.
In many circumstances, it is necessary to replace an existing bucket on the earth-moving machine with a different bucket. Once the existing bucket has been removed, the new bucket must be mounted to the dipper stick. In conventional backhoes, this is achieved by aligning apertures formed in the bucket with apertures formed in an end of the dipper stick and by manually inserting a pin through these openings. Although seemingly simple, this procedure is tedious and time consuming for several reasons. First, the openings must be in precise alignment to enable the pin to be manually inserted with minimal force by the operator. However, perfectly aligning the apertures may require several attempts. Second, even assuming that the operator is able to perfectly align the apertures with a single attempt, the operator still must exit the operator station of the backhoe to manually insert the pin.
As a result of such difficulties, a multitude of bucket attachment devices have been developed which provide remote controlled extendable and retractable pins for coupling the bucket to the dipper stick and the bucket pivot actuation linkage. Despite eliminating the need for the operator to manually insert a pin to couple the bucket to the dipper stick, such attachment devices have several associated drawbacks. First, such attachment devices typically utilize a space consuming actuator to extend and retract the pins. In particular, one such known device utilizes a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted about the pins to extend and retract the pins. Utilizing such a space consuming actuator is difficult due to the generally limited amount of space available at the junction of the bucket and the dipper stick.
Second, such prior bucket attachment devices typically offset the bucket pivot axes from the points at which the bucket is releasably connected to the dipper stick and the bucket pivot actuation linkage. For example, in one known bucket attachment device, the bucket pivots about first and second spaced-apart axes, yet is releasably connected to the dipper stick and the bucket pivot actuation linkage along third and fourth distinct axes. Due to this offset, the arc defined by the radius extending from the main bucket pivot axis to the tip of the working edge of the bucket is increased. As a result, the digging force generated by the bucket cylinders is reduced.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a hydraulic excavator and backhoe bucket attachment device or coupler which can be remotely controlled, which requires a minimum amount of space so as to be positioned in the limited space between the dipper stick and the bucket, and which does not reduce the digging force of the bucket by offsetting the bucket attachment points from the bucket pivot axes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved earth-moving machine. The earth-moving machine includes a chassis, a boom pivotably coupled to the chassis and extending from the chassis, a dipper stick having a first dipper end pivotably coupled to the boom and a second opposite dipper end, a bucket pivot actuation linkage having a first linkage end coupled to the dipper stick and a second linkage end, a bucket having a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, a first coupler releasably connecting the first mounting portion to the second linkage end and a second coupler releasably connecting the second mounting portion to the second dipper end. At least one of the first coupler and the second coupler includes a first pin extending at a junction of a bucket and a corresponding one of the second link end and the second dipper end, a first member forming a first opening configured to removably receive the first pin and at least one actuator coupled to one of the first member and the first pin. The bucket pivots about the first pin relative to said corresponding one of the second link end and the second dipper end. The first member and the first pin are movable relative to one another between an engaged position in which the opening receives the pin and a disengaged position. The at least one actuator moves the first pin and the first member between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
In one exemplary embodiment, said at least one of the first and second couplers includes a second pin extending at a junction of the bucket and the corresponding one of the second link end and the second dipper end and a second member forming a second opening configured to removable receive the second pin. In this embodiment, the bucket pivots about the second pin relative to said corresponding one of the second link end and the second dipper end. The second member and the second pin are movable relative to one another between an engaged position in which the second opening receives the second pin and a disengaged position. The at least one actuator is coupled to one of the second member and the second pin and moves the second pin and the second member between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
The present invention also provides an earth-moving machine which includes a chassis, a boom pivotably coupled to the chassis and extending from the chassis, a dipper stick pivotably coupled to the boom and extending from the boom, a bucket having first and second spaced mounting portions, the second mounting portion having first and second coaxial openings and a quick coupler selectively connecting and disconnecting the dipper stick and the implement. The quick coupler includes a first member releasably connected to the first mounting portion and a second member releasably connected to the second mounting portion. The second member includes first and second pins extending along an axis and movable between the first extended position in which the first and second pins project into the first and second openings, respectively, to couple the bucket to the dipper stick and a second retracted position in which the first and second pins are retracted from the first and second openings to at least partially uncouple the bucket from the dipper stick. The quick coupler further includes at least actuator coupled to the first and second pins to move the first and second pins between the first and second positions. The bucket pivots relative to the dipper stick about the axis of the first and second pins.
The present invention also provides an earth-moving machine which includes a chassis, a boom pivotably coupled to the chassis and extending from the chassis, a dipper stick pivotably coupled to the boom and extending from the boom, a bucket having at least one mounting portion, and a coupler releasably connecting the at least one mounting portion of the bucket to the dipper stick. The at least one coupler includes a

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Earth-moving machine bucket coupler does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Earth-moving machine bucket coupler, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Earth-moving machine bucket coupler will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2443936