Material or article handling – Vertically swinging load support – Shovel or fork type
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-31
2001-05-08
Underwood, Donald W. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Vertically swinging load support
Shovel or fork type
C037S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227792
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a quick release and attachment assembly for construction machines and more particularly to a vertically engaged hydraulic coupler for connecting a work implement to the construction machine.
BACKGROUND ART
Present construction machines, such as wheel loaders, typically may incorporate manual or hydraulic couplers to release and attach various work implements or tools during normal daily operation. The task of releasing the tools from the machine and attaching a different tool may be difficult and time consuming, especially in the field.
During the alignment between a hydraulic coupler and the tool prior to connection, an operator generally must visually judge where to manipulate the machine in order to facilitate the alignment. During this alignment phase, visibility may be hampered due to the structure and design of typical hydraulic couplers and linkage structures. Additionally, hydraulic couplers are usually designed to withstand loads from the tool which occur during normal operation. The direction of loads through the hydraulic coupler may diminish even distribution of loading from the work implement to the machine and may cause failure to the implement, hydraulic coupler components or supporting structure.
A design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,955 issued to Errol F. Andrews et al. on Nov. 6, 1984 utilizes a quick release and attachment coupling for operating tools. This design includes a head with a pair of spaced side plates connected together by a base plate and is pivotally mounted on a boom of a machine. Visibility from the machine to the coupling is hampered by the positioning of the base plate and the overall design of the quick release and attachment coupling. Additionally, a majority of loading is incurred at the coupling itself, thus forcing the coupling plates to have additional thickness for strength compensation, increasing the weight of the coupling and decreasing the overall performance of the machine.
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 quick release and attachment assembly for coupling a work implement to a construction machine is disclosed. The construction machine has a frame and a box boom lift arm assembly pivotally connected to the frame at a first end. A lower coupler pin boss is fixedly connected at a second end of the box boom lift arm assembly opposite the first end. A tilt linkage arrangement is pivotally connected at a first end to the box boom lift arm with an upper coupler pin boss fixedly connected at an second end opposite the first end. A first attachment means is connected to the work implement and includes a base. A pair of opposed connecting plates and a pair of opposed locating plates are fixedly connected to the base. Each one of the pair of locating plates is positioned substantially perpendicular to and in abutment with respective first and second ends of each of the pair of connecting plates. A second attachment means includes a body portion and a pair of vertical plates connected to the body portion in a spaced relationship. The body portion has an engagement portion adjacent the base and a pair of opposing side projections extending from the engagement portion in a predetermined relationship with the pair of locating plates of the first attachment means. Engagement means is disposed within the body portion for movement between a first position for connecting the first and second attachment means and a second position for releasing the first and second attachment means. Means for connecting the second attachment means to the upper and lower coupler pin bosses includes a pair of pins. Each of the pair of pins is releasably connected to the pair of vertical plates at first and second end portions thereof for allowing movement of the second attachment means correspondent to the respective movement of the tilt linkage arrangement and the box boom lift arm assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, a quick release and attachment assembly for coupling a work implement to a construction machine at remote ends of a first member with a lower coupler pin boss and a second member with an upper coupler pin boss is disclosed. Each of a pair of coupler assemblies is adapted for connection with respective first and second ends of the upper and lower coupler pin bosses to define a spatial relationship therebetween.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a quick release and attachment assembly for coupling a work implement to a construction machine at remote ends of a first member with a lower coupler pin boss and a second member with an upper coupler pin boss is disclosed. A first attachment means is connected to the work implement and includes an attaching portion connected thereto. A second attachment means is releasably connected to the first attachment means at the attaching portion. The second attachment means includes a body portion and a pair of vertical plates connected to the body portion in a spaced relationship. The pair of vertical plates each include a pin mounting opening defined at first and second end portions. The pin mounting openings have a substantially rectangular shape and include a clamp portion which extends therefrom and terminates at a pair of spaced flanges which define a coaxial opening therethrough. Means for connecting the second attachment means to the upper and lower coupler pin bosses is disclosed and includes a pair of pins and a bolt assembly. The pair of pins each include a cylindrical central portion which extends through the upper and lower coupler pin bosses and terminates at substantially rectangular end portions fitted within the rectangular shaped openings in each of the pair of vertical plates. The bolt assembly extends through the coaxial openings in each of the spaced flanges for fixing the end portions of the pins within the rectangular shaped openings in each of the pair of vertical plates.
The present invention includes a pair of coupler assemblies which are fixedly connected at first and second end portions to respective first and second ends of upper and lower coupler pin bosses to define a spatial relationship. The spatial relationship between the coupler assemblies increases visibility for an operator during the coupling process. The pair of coupler assemblies are connected to the upper and lower pin bosses through a pair of pins which are uniquely shaped to act as structural members of the coupler assemblies. Therefore, the pins incur a portion of the loads acting upon the machine to improve strength through a more even distribution of loading without increasing the weight of the machine.
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Rylind—Wedge Lock Coupler Systems 1 Page.
Verachtert—Schnellwechsel-einrichtung System 2000 Publication—5 pages.
Baker Sherrie R.
Burr Matthew P.
Deneve Jeffrey A.
Loughrin Owen S.
McMillan Charles T.
Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
Charlton Diana L.
Underwood Donald W.
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