COUPLER WITH GRAVITY OPERATED SAFETY DEVICE

• US 20100061799A1
• Filed: 09/08/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ian Hill
• Original Assignee: Ian Hill
• Inventors: Hill, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 8,622,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/322.300
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3618 with two separating hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3645 with auto-engagement means for automatic snap-on of the tool coupler part
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/365 with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3663 hydraulically-operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/591 having operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/593 Remotely actuated

Abstract

A coupler for an excavator, the coupler having a body with first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment. A first latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the first recess. A second latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the second recess. A blocking member may be provided that is movable into and out of a blocking state in which it lies in the path of the second latching member to prevent the second latching member from leaving its latching state. The blocking member may be movable into and out of the blocking state under the influence of gravity.

Claims

1. A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising:

a body having first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment;

a first latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in said first recess;

a first actuator selectively actuating said first latching member into and out of said latching state;

a second latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in said second recess;

a second actuator selectively actuating said second latching member into and out of said latching state; and

a blocking member movable into and out of a blocking state in which said blocking member lies in the path of the second latching member to prevent the second latching member from leaving its latching state, and wherein said blocking member is movable into and out of said blocking state under the influence of gravity.

2. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blocking member is pivotably coupled to the body.

3. A coupler as claimed in claim 2, wherein said blocking member is arranged to hang, in use, substantially vertically from a pivot point under the influence of gravity.

4. A coupler as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pivot point is located substantially above said second recess when the coupler is in a normal working orientation.

5. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gap is defined between said blocking member and said second latching member when said second latching member is in its latching state and when the blocking member is in its blocking state.

6. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking member is movable into and out of its blocking state upon movement of the coupler between a working orientation and a non-working orientation.

7. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, further including a first stop member located in a path of movement of said blocking member, movement of said blocking member in a first direction being limited by engagement with said first stop, and wherein said blocking member adopts said blocking state when engaged with said first stop.

8. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, further including a second stop member located in a path of movement of said blocking member, movement of said blocking member in a second direction being limited by engagement with said second stop, and wherein said blocking member adopts said non-blocking state when engaged with said first stop.

9. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relative arrangement of said second latching member and said blocking member is such that engagement of said second latching member with said blocking member upon movement of said second latching member out of its latching state urges said blocking member into its blocking state.

10. A coupler as claimed in claim 9 further including a first stop member located in a path of movement of said blocking member, movement of said blocking member in a first direction being limited by engagement with said first stop, and wherein said blocking member adopts said blocking state when engaged with said first stop, and wherein said blocking member adopts said non-blocking state when engaged with said first stop and wherein engagement of said second latching member with said blocking member upon movement of said second latching member out of its latching state urges said blocking member into engagement with said first stop.

11. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second latching member is pivotably coupled to said coupler at a pivot point that is located beyond said second recess with respect to said first recess and spaced apart from the mouth of said second recess in a direction substantially parallel with a notional axis joining said first and second recesses.

12. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second latching member takes the form of a hook including a jaw portion that at least partially closes the mouth of said second recess when in the latching state.

13. A coupler as claimed in claim 12, wherein said jaw portion is shaped for engagement with an attachment pin located in said second recess when in the latching state, the shape of the jaw being such that the action of the pin on the jaw serves to urge the second latching member into its latching state.

14. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first actuator is provided with a resilient biasing member arranged to urge said first actuator into a state corresponding to said latching state of said first latching member.

15. A coupler as claimed in claim 14, wherein said first actuator comprises a linear actuator, said biasing member being arranged to urge said linear actuator into an extended state.

16. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second latching member includes a portion that, when the second latching member is in its latching state, is located in a path of movement of said first latching member such that said portion of said second latching member engages with said first latching member when said first latching member is moved towards its non-latching state, the arrangement being such that said engagement urges said second latching member into its latching state.

17. A coupler as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first latching member includes a seat for engagement with said portion of said second latching member, said seat being shaped such that the action of said first latching member on said portion of said second latching member urges said second latching member into its latching state.

18. A coupler as claimed in claim 16, wherein the arrangement is such that engagement of said first latching member with said portion of said second latching member serves to hold said first latching member in its latching state.

19. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first recess is shaped and dimensioned to receive attachment pins in different locations corresponding to different attachment pin spacings, said first recess further including a lip at one side of a mouth, and wherein when said first latching member adopts a latching position corresponding to the smallest attachment pin spacing accommodated by the coupler, a gap being defined between the first latching member and said lip, and wherein the arrangement is such that said gap has a size that is less than the width of the respective attachment pin.

20. A coupler as claimed in claim 19, wherein said lip extends from the side of the first recess that is furthest from the second recess and in a direction substantially towards said second recess.

21. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein a resiliently deformable member is coupled to the blocking member and is arranged to engage with an arm of the excavator such that the action of the resiliently deformable member when engaged with the arm biases the blocking member into its blocking state.

22. A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second actuators are inter-linked such that the operation of one of said first and second actuators between the latching and non-latching states causes operation of the other of said first and second actuators between the latching and non-latching states.

23. A coupler as claimed in claim 22, wherein said first and second actuators each comprises at least one respective hydraulic actuator controlled by a common hydraulic circuit, each said hydraulic actuator sharing a common hydraulic fluid feed line and a common hydraulic fluid return line.

24. A coupler as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least one of said first and second actuators have a pilot non-return valve at the respective extend side port, the pilot control line being connected to the respective retract side port.

25. A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising:

a body having first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment;

a first latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the respective attachment pin in said first recess;

a first actuator selectively actuating said first latching member into and out of said latching state;

a second latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in said second recess; and

a second actuator selectively actuating said second latching member into and out of said latching state, wherein said first and second actuators are inter-linked such that the operation of one of said first and second actuators between the latching and non-latching states causes operation of the other of said first and second actuators between the latching and non-latching states.

26. A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising:

a body having first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment;

a first latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the respective attachment pin in said first recess;

a first actuator selectively actuating said first latching member into and out of said latching state;

a second latching member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in said second recess; and

a second actuator selectively actuating said second latching member into and out of said latching state, wherein said first recess is shaped and dimensioned to receive attachment pins in different locations corresponding to different attachment pin spacings, said first recess further including a lip at one side of a mouth, and wherein when said first latching member adopts a latching position corresponding to the smallest attachment pin spacing accommodated by the coupler, a gap being defined between the first latching member and said lip, and wherein the arrangement is such that the gap has a size that is less than the width of the respective attachment pin.