PIN GRABBER COUPLER
First Claim
1. A coupler, comprising:
- first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel upper side plates;
first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel lower side plates, the first lower side plate fixed to and extending downwardly from the first upper side plate and the second lower side plate fixed to and extending downwardly from the second upper side plate;
a first pin-receiving aperture formed in a forward end of the first lower side plate and a second pin-receiving aperture formed in a forward end of the second lower side plate in transverse alignment with the first pin-receiving aperture;
a third pin-receiving aperture formed in a rearward end of the first lower side plate and a fourth pin-receiving aperture formed in a rearward end of the second lower side plate in transverse alignment with the third pin-receiving aperture;
a first pin mounted between forward ends of the first and second upper side plates;
a second pin mounted between rearward ends of the first and second upper side plates;
a safety lock pivotally mounted between the first and second lower side plates for pivotal movement of the safety lock between an unlocked position in which the safety lock is rearward of the first and second pin-receiving apertures and does not contact a first implement pin receivable within the first and second pin-receiving apertures, and a locked position in which the safety lock extends forwardly into the first and second pin-receiving apertures to contact and retain the first implement pin within the first and second pin-receiving apertures; and
a latching hook pivotally mounted between the first and second lower side plates for pivotal movement of the latching hook between an unlatched position in which the latching hook is forward of the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures and does not contact a second implement pin receivable within the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures, and a latched position in which the latching hook extends rearwardly into the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures to retain the second implement pin within the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Coupler has a safety lock and a latching hook. The safety lock pivots between an unlocked position in which it does not contact a first implement pin receivable within a pair of apertures, and a locked position in which it retains the first pin within the apertures. The latching hook pivots between an unlatched position in which it does not contact a second implement pin receivable within another pair of apertures, and a latched position in which it retains the second pin within the apertures. A spring biases the safety lock toward the locked position, maintaining engagement of the safety lock with the first pin and preventing its withdrawal from the apertures in the event of a hydraulic system failure. When the implement is released, the spring continues to bias the safety lock toward the locked position, preventing withdrawal of the first pin from the apertures in the event of a hydraulic system failure before completion of the release operation.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coupler, comprising:
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first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel upper side plates; first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel lower side plates, the first lower side plate fixed to and extending downwardly from the first upper side plate and the second lower side plate fixed to and extending downwardly from the second upper side plate; a first pin-receiving aperture formed in a forward end of the first lower side plate and a second pin-receiving aperture formed in a forward end of the second lower side plate in transverse alignment with the first pin-receiving aperture; a third pin-receiving aperture formed in a rearward end of the first lower side plate and a fourth pin-receiving aperture formed in a rearward end of the second lower side plate in transverse alignment with the third pin-receiving aperture; a first pin mounted between forward ends of the first and second upper side plates; a second pin mounted between rearward ends of the first and second upper side plates; a safety lock pivotally mounted between the first and second lower side plates for pivotal movement of the safety lock between an unlocked position in which the safety lock is rearward of the first and second pin-receiving apertures and does not contact a first implement pin receivable within the first and second pin-receiving apertures, and a locked position in which the safety lock extends forwardly into the first and second pin-receiving apertures to contact and retain the first implement pin within the first and second pin-receiving apertures; and a latching hook pivotally mounted between the first and second lower side plates for pivotal movement of the latching hook between an unlatched position in which the latching hook is forward of the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures and does not contact a second implement pin receivable within the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures, and a latched position in which the latching hook extends rearwardly into the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures to retain the second implement pin within the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A coupler, comprising:
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first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel upper side plates; first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel lower side plates, the first lower side plate fixed to and extending downwardly from the first upper side plate and the second lower side plate fixed to and extending downwardly from the second upper side plate; a first pin-receiving aperture formed in a forward end of the first lower side plate and a second pin-receiving aperture formed in a forward end of the second lower side plate in transverse alignment with the first pin-receiving aperture; a third pin-receiving aperture formed in a rearward end of the first lower side plate and a fourth pin-receiving aperture formed in a rearward end of the second lower side plate in transverse alignment with the third pin-receiving aperture; a first pin mounted between forward ends of the first and second upper side plates; a second pin mounted between rearward ends of the first and second upper side plates; first and second safety locks pivotally mounted between the first and second lower side plates for pivotal movement of the first and second safety locks between an unlocked position in which the first and second safety locks are rearward of the first and second pin-receiving apertures and do not contact a first implement pin receivable within the first and second pin-receiving apertures, and a locked position in which the first and second safety locks extend forwardly into the first and second pin-receiving apertures to contact and retain the first implement pin within the first and second pin-receiving apertures; and a latching hook pivotally mounted between the first and second lower side plates for pivotal movement of the latching hook between an unlatched position in which the latching hook is forward of the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures and does not contact a second implement pin receivable within the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures, and a latched position in which the latching hook extends rearwardly into the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures to retain the second implement pin within the third and fourth pin-receiving apertures. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification