COUPLER WITH COUPLING STATUS SENSORS
First Claim
1. A coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator, the coupler comprising a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the first jaw being configured for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory and a second jaw longitudinally spaced from the first jaw with respect to the frame of the coupler, the second jaw being configured for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, the second jaw including a latch for locking the second attachment pin into the second jaw of the coupler, wherein a sensor is provided for one of the first and second jaws for detecting the presence or the absence of an attachment pin in the said first or second jaw and outputting a signal to signify said detected presence or absence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupler (24) for coupling an accessory (28) to an excavator arm (12) of an excavator (10), the coupler comprising a first jaw (30) that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler (24), the jaw (30) being for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory (28) and having a first sensor (40) for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein, the coupler (24) further having a second jaw (32), or a latch (34), longitudinally spaced from the first jaw (30), and being for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory (28), and having a second sensor (42) for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein. The sensors (40, 42) transmit or send signals to a receiver (46, 48) for notifying the driver of the coupling status of the coupler (24) with respect to the accessory (28).
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Citations
60 Claims
- 1. A coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator, the coupler comprising a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the first jaw being configured for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory and a second jaw longitudinally spaced from the first jaw with respect to the frame of the coupler, the second jaw being configured for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, the second jaw including a latch for locking the second attachment pin into the second jaw of the coupler, wherein a sensor is provided for one of the first and second jaws for detecting the presence or the absence of an attachment pin in the said first or second jaw and outputting a signal to signify said detected presence or absence.
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2-41. -41. (canceled)
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54. A coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator, the coupler comprising:
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a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the first jaw being for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory; a second jaw longitudinally spaced from the first jaw with respect to the frame of the coupler, for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, the second jaw including a latch for locking the second attachment pin into the second jaw of the coupler; and an actuator for operating the coupler'"'"'s latching mechanism; and a sensor provided on the coupler, the sensor being incorporated either into or onto the actuator for detecting status information of the actuator, or into or onto a lifting eye of the coupler for detecting loading applied to a lifting eye of the coupler. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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Specification