Fast-make coupler for attaching a work implement to a prime mover
First Claim
1. An improved coupler assembly for connecting a work implement which has laterally oriented, longitudinally spaced, first and second mounting pins to a prime mover, wherein the prime mover presents an articulating boom having a proximal and a distal arm and at least one articulating arm, the outer end portion of the distal arm and the articulating arm are adapted to be pivotally connected to the coupler assembly, the improved coupler assembly comprising:
- a body portion having laterally spaced side plate means;
means to secure said body portion to both the distal arm and the articulating arm of the articulating boom presented from the prime mover;
first and second mounting-pin receiving slots in each said side plate means;
each of said mounting-pin receiving slots having an open mouth portion at one end thereof and an apex portion at the other end thereof;
said first and second mounting-pin receiving slots oriented sequentially to receive the respective first and second mounting pins in said mouth portions;
the dimension from said mouth to said apices of said first mounting-pin receiving slots being greater than the corresponding dimension of said second mounting-pin receiving slots;
locating means in said mouth portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots such that the first mounting pin may be retained within said mouth portion of said first mounting-pin receiving slots before the second mounting pin is received within said mouth portions of said second mounting-pin receiving slots;
rotator means extending laterally between said apex portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots in said laterally spaced, side plate means;
said rotator means mounted for rotational movement between at least a first and a second position;
said rotator means being oriented to engage the first mounting pin when said rotator means is in said first position, lockingly to retain the first mounting pin within said apices of said first mounting-pin receiving slots;
said rotator means also being oriented, when in said second position, selectively to permit the first mounting pin to slide along said first mounting-pin receiving slots after the second mounting pin is in substantial alignment above said second mounting-pin receiving slots; and
,means selectively to move said rotator means between said first and second positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved coupler assembly adapted for connecting a work implement to a prime mover. The main body portion of the coupler assembly has laterally spaced side plates, each of which includes first and second mounting-pin receiving slots having open mouths and apices. The mouths are adapted sequentially to receive first and second mounting pins secured to the work implement. The first slot is longer than the second slot, and the first slot incorporates a locating structure adapted to retain the first mounting pin within the mouths of the first slots before the second mounting pin is capable of being received within the mouths of the second slots. A locking sub-assembly having a rotator member extends laterally between the apices of the first slots. The rotator is mounted for rotation between a first and a second position. The rotator is adapted to engage the first mounting pin, when the rotator is in its first position, to retain the first mounting pin within the apices of the first slots. The rotator is also adapted, when in its second position, selectively to permit the first mounting pin to slide along the first slots after the second mounting pin is in substantial vertical alignment above the second slots.
82 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An improved coupler assembly for connecting a work implement which has laterally oriented, longitudinally spaced, first and second mounting pins to a prime mover, wherein the prime mover presents an articulating boom having a proximal and a distal arm and at least one articulating arm, the outer end portion of the distal arm and the articulating arm are adapted to be pivotally connected to the coupler assembly, the improved coupler assembly comprising:
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a body portion having laterally spaced side plate means; means to secure said body portion to both the distal arm and the articulating arm of the articulating boom presented from the prime mover; first and second mounting-pin receiving slots in each said side plate means; each of said mounting-pin receiving slots having an open mouth portion at one end thereof and an apex portion at the other end thereof; said first and second mounting-pin receiving slots oriented sequentially to receive the respective first and second mounting pins in said mouth portions; the dimension from said mouth to said apices of said first mounting-pin receiving slots being greater than the corresponding dimension of said second mounting-pin receiving slots; locating means in said mouth portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots such that the first mounting pin may be retained within said mouth portion of said first mounting-pin receiving slots before the second mounting pin is received within said mouth portions of said second mounting-pin receiving slots; rotator means extending laterally between said apex portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots in said laterally spaced, side plate means; said rotator means mounted for rotational movement between at least a first and a second position; said rotator means being oriented to engage the first mounting pin when said rotator means is in said first position, lockingly to retain the first mounting pin within said apices of said first mounting-pin receiving slots; said rotator means also being oriented, when in said second position, selectively to permit the first mounting pin to slide along said first mounting-pin receiving slots after the second mounting pin is in substantial alignment above said second mounting-pin receiving slots; and
,means selectively to move said rotator means between said first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An improved coupler assembly for connecting a work implement which has laterally oriented, longitudinally spaced, first and second mounting pins to a prime mover, and wherein the prime mover presents an articulating boom having proximal and distal arms and at least one articulating arm, the improvement comprising:
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a body portion having laterally spaced side plate means; means to secure said body portion to both the distal arm and the articulating arm of the articulating boom presented from the prime mover; first and second mounting-pin receiving slots in each said side plate means; each of said mounting-pin receiving slots having an open mouth portion at one end thereof and an apex potion at the other end thereof; rotator means extending laterally between said apex portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots in said laterally spaced, side plate means; said rotator means mounted for rotational movement between at least a first and a second position; the dimensional span between said apices of said first and second mounting-pin receiving slots being substantially equal to the dimensional span of the first and second mounting pins; said mouth portions of said second mounting-pin receiving slots face substantially forwardly; and
,said mouth portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots face forwardly and downwardly within an angular range of from about thirty degrees (30°
) to about forty-five degrees (45°
) with respect to the mouths of said forwardly facing second mounting-pin receiving slots.
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17. An improved coupler assembly for connecting a work implement which has laterally oriented, longitudinally spaced, first and second mounting pins to a prime mover, and wherein the prime mover presents an articulating boom having proximal and distal arms and at least one articulating arm, the improvement comprising:
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a body portion having laterally spaced side plate means; means to secure said body portion to both the distal arm and the articulating arm of the articulating boom presented from the prime mover; first and second mounting-pin receiving slots in each said side plate means; each of said mounting-pin receiving slots having an open mouth portion at one end thereof and an apex portion at the other end thereof; rotator means extending laterally between said apex portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots in said laterally spaced, side plate means; said rotator means mounted for rotational movement between at least a first and a second position; the dimensional span between said apices of said first and second mounting-pin receiving slots being substantially equal to the dimensional span of the first and second mounting pins; an arcuate locating recess in said mouth portions of said first mounting-pin receiving slots; and the dimensional span between said arcuate locating recesses and the mouths of said second mounting-pin receiving slots being greater than the dimensional span of the first and second mounting pins.
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Specification