COUPLER FOR EARTH MOVING OR MATERIALS HANDLING MACHINE

• US 20100232920A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cascade Corporation (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cascade Corporation (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Calvert, David Aperahama, Calvert, Matthew James
• Granted Patent: US 9,863,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/723
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3627 with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/364 using wedges
• 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

Abstract

A coupler is configured to couple an implement to an earth moving or materials handling machine. The coupler includes a locking member for locking a pin of an implement into a coupler in the recess. The locking member is driven by a hydraulic arrangement, with the hydraulic cylinder body being formed integrally with either the coupler body or the locking member. The coupler may be adapted to accommodate a range of implement pin spacings and/or diameters, so that the coupler can be used with different implements and in particular with different makes of implement.

Claims

1. A coupler for coupling an implement to an earth moving or materials handling machine, including:

a coupler body;

a first recess formed in the coupler body and configured to engage with a first pin of an implement;

a second recess formed in the coupler body and configured to engage with a second pin of an implement;

a locking member configured to extend to lock a second pin of an implement into the second recess and to retract to allow movement of a second pin of an implement into or out of the second recess; and

a hydraulic cylinder body and shaft for extending or retracting the locking member, wherein the hydraulic cylinder body is formed integrally within with one of the coupler body and the locking member.

3. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first pin is a front pin, the first recess is a front recess, the second pin is a rear pin and the second recess is a rear recess.

4. A coupler as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second recesses are positioned and dimensioned to engage with first and second pins of implements over a range of first and second pin diameters and/or spacings.

5. A coupler as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pin spacing is in the range 100 mm to 400 mm.

6. A coupler as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pin diameter is in the range 30 mm to 60 mm.

7. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 configured for attachment to an earth moving or materials handling machine having a weight in the range 700 to 7500 kg.

9. A coupler as claimed in claim 27 wherein the cylinder body and locking member are cast as a single piece.

10. A coupler as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cylinder body and locking member are investment cast.

11. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupler body is formed as a single piece.

12. A coupler as claimed in claim 11 wherein the coupler body is cast as a single piece.

13. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hydraulic cylinder body is formed integrally with the coupler body.

14. A coupler as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cylinder body and coupler body are cast as a single piece.

27. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cylinder body and locking member are manufactured as a single piece.

28. A coupler as claimed in claim 27 wherein the coupler body is cast as a single piece.

29. A coupler as claimed in claim 3 including a second locking member for locking a front pin of an implement into the front recess.

2. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

15-26. -26. (canceled)

30-34. -34. (canceled)