Coupler with improved pin lock

• US 20020071754A1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paladin Brands LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jrb Company Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fatemi, Ray S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,699,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/723
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3618 with two separating hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/365 with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3663 hydraulically-operated

Abstract

A coupler includes a body having first and second recesses that are adapted for respectively receiving first and second associated pins of an associated bucket or other implement. A wedge lock member is movably secured to the body and is movable between a retracted position one or more extended positions. The wedge lock member at least partially obstructs the second recess when it is moved to an extended position so as to capture a second associated pin in the second recess. An actuator is operably coupled to the wedge lock member and is operable to move the wedge lock member between its retracted and extended positions. A supplemental lock arm member is movably secured to the coupler body and is movable between an unlocked position and one or more locked positions. When the supplemental lock arm member is in its locked position, it engages and prevents movement of the lock member from the one or more extended positions to the retracted position. The supplemental lock arm member is movable from its locked position to its unlocked position in response to at least substantial full curling of the coupler body relative to an associated arm to which the coupler body is connected.

Claims

1. A coupler comprising:

a body including first and second recesses adapted for respectively receiving first and second associated pins of an associated implement;

a first lock member movably secured to said body and movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position, said first lock member at least partially obstructing said second recess when moved to said at least one extended position so as to capture a second associated pin in said second recess;

an actuator operably coupled to said first lock member and operable to move said first lock member to and between said retracted position and said at least one extended position; and

,

a supplemental lock member movably secured to said coupler body and movable between an unlocked position at least one locked position, said supplemental lock member, when located in said at least one locked position, engaging and preventing movement of said first lock member from said at least one extended position to said retracted position, said supplemental lock member movable from said at least one locked position to said unlocked position in response to movement of said coupler body to a select angular position relative to an associated arm to which the coupler body is pivotably connected.

2. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein said select angular position is an at least substantially fully curled position relative to the associated arm.

3. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a spring engaged with said supplemental lock member and biasing supplemental lock member to said at least one locked position.

4. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises one of a manual actuator, a fluid-cylinder actuator and a solenoid actuator.

5. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein said supplemental lock member is pivotably secured to said body and adapted for pivoting movement between said at least one locked position and said unlocked position.

6. The coupler as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first lock member is slidably secured to said body and moves linearly between said retracted position and said at least one extended position.

7. The coupler as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first lock member moves between said retracted position and at least first and second extended positions, and wherein said supplemental lock member comprises a first stop surface that prevents movement of said first lock member from said first extended position to said retracted position and a second stop surface that prevents movement of said first lock member from said second extended position to said retracted position.

8. The coupler as set forth in claim 2, wherein said supplemental lock member comprises:

(i) a first end that engages said first lock member when said supplemental lock member is located in said at least one locked position; and

, (ii) a second end that projects outwardly from said body and engages the associated arm to which the coupler body is pivotably connected when said coupler body is at least substantially fully curled relative to the associated arm.

9. The coupler as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

a stem adjustably connected to said second end of said supplemental lock member and adapted for being positioned and secured in different positions relative to said second end of said supplemental lock member.

10. The coupler as set forth in claim 8, wherein a location of said second end of said supplemental lock member relative to said body provides a visual indication of said supplemental lock member being in said at least one locked position.

11. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a first proximity sensor located adjacent said second recess to sense a presence of the second associated pin in the second recess.

12. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a second proximity sensor for sensing a presence of said supplemental lock member in said at least one locked position.

13. The coupler as set forth in claim 5, wherein said body comprises first and second sidewalls defining a channel therebetween, said coupler further comprising a cross-pin that extends between said first and second sidewalls through said channel, said supplemental lock member pivotably connected to said cross-pin.

15. The coupler as set forth in claim 14, wherein said supplemental lock member is pivotably secured to said body.

16. The coupler as set forth in claim 14, wherein said supplement lock member comprises a portion that provides a visual indicator to an observer if said supplement lock member is in said unlocked position.

17. The coupler as set forth in claim 14, wherein said supplemental lock member is spring-biased into said locked position.

14. A coupler comprising:

a body including first and second pin-receiving recesses;

a main lock member selectively movable between an extended position where said main lock member at least partially obstructs one of said recesses and a retracted position;

a supplemental lock member connected to said body and movable between a locked position, where said supplemental lock member blocks movement of said main lock member from said extended position to said retracted position, and an unlocked position, said supplemental lock member including a portion adapted to engage an associated arm to which said body is connected only when said body is at least substantially curled relative to the associated arm whereby said supplemental lock member moves from said locked position to said unlocked position when said body is at least substantially fully curled relative to the associated arm.

18. A coupler comprising:

a body including first and second pin-receiving recesses and adapted for pivotable connection to an associated arm;

a main lock member selectively movable to a locked position where said main lock member at least partially obstructs one of said recesses to capture an associated pin therein; and

,

means for preventing movement of said main lock member out of said locked position unless said body is at least substantially fully curled relative to the associated arm.