Coupler with improved structure and method for manufacturing same

• US 6,691,438 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paladin Brands Group Inc (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jrb Company Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fatemi, Ray S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beach, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US10/131,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20020157286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 374/68, 374/03, 372/31, 374/09, 414/723, 403/31, 403/320-325, 172/272, 172/273, 172/275
• US Class Current: 37/468
• 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 3/3663 hydraulically-operated

Abstract

A quick-coupler for operably connecting a bucket or other implement to the arm or dipper-stick of an excavator, backhoe and/or other machine includes a first and second laterally spaced-apart rib assemblies. A first upper bearing plate is connected to the first rib assembly and a second upper bearing plate connected to the second rib assembly. At least one of the first and second upper bearing plates and the lower bearing plate includes a tab projecting outwardly therefrom that is inserted into a corresponding tab-opening defined in one of the first and second rib assemblies. A lock member is slidably positioned in the slot, and an actuator is located in the space between the first and second rib assemblies. The actuator is operably coupled to the lock member for moving the lock member between first and second operative positions. A method of constructing a coupler is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a coupler comprising:

securing a first upper bearing plate to a first female rib member and securing a second upper bearing plate to a second female rib member, said first and second female rib members each defining first and second spaced-apart recesses adapted to receive first and second associated pins of an associated implement;

arranging said first and second female rib members in spaced-apart relation with said first and second bearing plates aligned and spaced-apart from each other, said first recesses aligned with each other to define a first pin-receiving hook and said second recesses aligned with each other to define a second pin-receiving hook;

positioning a lower bearing plate to extend between said first and second female rib members, said lower bearing plate spaced from said first and second upper bearing plates whereby a slot is defined between said lower bearing plate and said first and second upper bearing plates;

positioning at least one cross member to extend between said first and second female rib members;

securing said at least one cross member to both said first and second female rib members;

securing said lower bearing plate to both said first and second female rib members;

connecting and securing a first outer rib member to said first female rib member to define a first rib assembly and connecting and securing a second outer rib member to said second female rib member to define a second rib assembly, said first and second outer rib members each defining first and second spaced apart pin openings, said first pin openings aligned with each other and said second pin openings aligned with each other;

positioning a lock member slidably in the space defined between said separate first and second upper bearing plate and said lower bearing plate;

securing an actuator in a space located between said first and second rib assemblies;

operably connecting said actuator to said lock member whereby said actuator is adapted to move said lock member between a retracted position and an extended position, said lock member extending at least partially into said second pin-receiving hook when in said extended position.

2. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

machining said first and second pin opening of said first rib assembly; and

,

machining said first and second pin openings of said second rib assembly.

3. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

connecting a cross-pin to extend between said first and second rib assemblies, wherein said step of securing an actuator in the space between said first and second rib assemblies comprises;

connecting said actuator to said cross-pin.

4. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 3, wherein said actuator comprises a fluid cylinder.

5. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of securing said first upper bearing plate comprises inserting at least one tab that projects from said first upper bearing plate into at least one respective corresponding opening defined in said first female rib member.

6. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 5, wherein said step of securing said second upper bearing plate comprises inserting at least one tab that projects from said second upper bearing plate into at least one respective corresponding opening defined in said second female rib member.

7. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

welding said first and second upper bearing plates to said first and second female rib assemblies, respectively.

8. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of positioning a lower bearing plate to extend between said first and second female rib members comprises:

inserting a first tab that projects from said lower bearing plate into a corresponding opening defined in said first female rib member; and

,

inserting a second tab that projects from said lower bearing plate into a corresponding opening defined in said second female rib member.

9. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one tab of said first upper bearing plate comprises first and second tabs inserted into first and second openings of said first female rib member and said first tab of said lower bearing plate is inserted into a third opening defined in said first female rib member, and wherein said at least one tab of said second upper bearing plate comprises first and second tabs inserted into first and second opening of said second female rib member and said second tab of said lower bearing plate is inserted into a third opening of said second female rib member.

10. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of arranging said first and second female rib members in spaced-apart relation comprises:

connecting said first female rib member to first and second spaced-apart parallel pins, with said first pin located in said first recess of said first female rib member and said second pin located in said second recess of said first female rib member;

connecting said second female rib member to said first and second spaced-apart parallel pins, with said first pin located in said first recess of said second female rib member and said second pin located in said second recess of said second female rib member.

11. The method of constructing a coupler as set forth in claim 3, wherein said step of connecting a cross-pin to extend between said first and second rib assemblies comprises removably connecting said cross-pin to both said first and second rib assemblies.

12. A coupler formed in accordance with the method of claim 1.

13. A coupler comprising:

first and second laterally spaced-apart rib assemblies defining a space therebetween and each comprising first and second pin-openings, said first openings of said first and second rib assemblies aligned with each other and said second openings of said first and second rib assemblies aligned with each other;

a plurality of cross-members extending between and interconnecting said first and second rib assemblies;

a first upper bearing plate connected to said first rib assembly;

a second upper bearing plate connected to said second rib assembly, said first and second upper bearing plates being separate and spaced-apart from each other;

a lower bearing plate connected to both said first and second rib assemblies and spaced from said first and second upper bearing plates so that a slot is defined between said lower bearing plate and said first and second upper bearing plates;

at least one of said first and second upper bearing plates and said lower bearing plate comprising a tab projecting outwardly therefrom that is inserted into a corresponding tab-opening defined in one of said first and second rib assemblies;

a lock member slidably positioned in said slot; and

,

an actuator located in the space between said first and second rib assemblies, said actuator operably coupled to said lock member for moving said lock member between first and second operative positions.

14. The coupler as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first upper bearing plate comprises a tab inserted into a first corresponding opening defined in said first rib assembly, and said second upper bearing plate comprises a tab inserted into a first corresponding opening defined in said second rib assembly.

15. The coupler as set forth in claim 14, wherein said first upper bearing plate comprises first and second tabs inserted respectively into first and second openings of said first rib assembly and said second upper bearing plate comprises first and second tabs inserted respectively into first and second openings of said second rib assembly.

16. The coupler as set forth in claim 15, wherein said lower bearing plate comprises first and second tabs projecting outwardly therefrom, said first tab of said lower bearing plate inserted into a third corresponding opening defined in said first rib assembly and said second tab of said lower bearing plate inserted into a third corresponding opening defined in said second rib assembly.

17. The coupler as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a cross-pin extending between said first and second rib assemblies, wherein the cross-pin is removably connected to said first and second rib assemblies and said actuator is removably connected to said cross-pin.

18. The coupler as set forth in claim 17, wherein said actuator comprises a fluid cylinder.