WEDGE COUPLER LUG BRACKETS FOR COUPLING IMPLEMENTS TO EXCAVATION MACHINES

Abstract

The present invention relates to wedge coupler lug brackets for attachment to an implement to permit connection of a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader. The wedge hook brackets comprising a pair of lugs each lug having a rear facing hook section, a saddle section, the rear facing hook section and saddle section configured and adapted to accommodate bosses on the wedge coupler on the work arm that transfer the digging force from a powerlink of the primary mover to the attachment and wedge bar receiver sections to receive a wedge bar on the wedge coupler. The wedge bar receiver section is configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing hook section, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement with both lugs across the width of the pair of wedge coupler lug brackets mounted on the attachment.

Claims

1. Wedge coupler brackets for attachment to an implement to permit connection of a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader, said wedge coupler brackets comprising: first and second opposing sidewalls, each sidewall having a first rear facing recess section and a second recess section, the first and second recess sections configured and adapted to engage bosses on the work arm wedge coupler that transfer the digging force from a power link of the primary mover to the attachment; each sidewall having a wedge bar receiver section to receive a wedge bar on the wedge coupler, the wedge bar receiver sections configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing recess sections, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement with both brackets across the width of the brackets on the attachment.

2. Wedge coupler brackets according to claim 1, wherein each rear facing recess section is a rear facing hook section and the second recess section is a saddle section.

3. Wedge coupler brackets according to claim 1, wherein the wedge bar receiver sections are configured and adapted to receive a manually or hydraulically operated wedge bar on the wedge coupler.

4. Wedge coupler brackets according to claim 1, wherein the implement is a bucket, pneumatic hammer, hole auger, grapple, shears, or ripper.

5. An implement having wedge coupler brackets for coupling the implement to a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader, said wedge coupler brackets comprising: first and second opposing sidewalls, each sidewall including a first rear facing recess section and a second recess section; the first and second recess sections configured and adapted to engage bosses on the work arm wedge coupler that transfer the digging force from a power link of the primary mover to the implement; each sidewall having a wedge bar receiver section to receive a wedge bar on the wedge coupler, the wedge bar receiver sections configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing recess sections, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement with both brackets across the width of the brackets on the implement.

6. An implement according to claim 5, wherein each rear facing recess section is a rear facing hook section and the second recess section is a saddle section.

7. An implement according to claim 5, wherein the wedge bar receiver sections are configured and adapted to receive a manually or hydraulically operated wedge bar on the wedge couple.

8. An implement according to claim 5, wherein the implement is a bucket, pneumatic hammer, hole auger, grapple, shears, or ripper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention may be further understood by reference to the description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a work arm wedge coupler of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader attached to an attachment (bucket in the drawing) by means of conventional wedge coupler lug attachments;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary example of a work arm wedge coupler of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader attached to a bucket in the drawing by means of wedge coupler lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a work arm wedge coupler attached to bucket of FIG. 2 by means of wedge coupler lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of a work arm wedge coupler attached to bucket of FIG. 2 by means of wedge coupler lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the bucket of FIG. 4 having a pair of wedge lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is schematic side plan view of the bucket of FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 7 is diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the present invention showing initial coupling of the work arm wedge coupler to the wedge hook lugs. The wedge coupler includes a mechanically operated wedge bar. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of the work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

[0025] FIG. 8 is diagrammatic representation is an embodiment of the present invention showing the coupling of the work arm wedge coupler with the wedge hook lugs and saddles. The wedge coupler includes a mechanically operated wedge bar before locked engagement. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

[0026] FIG. 9 is diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the present invention showing initial coupling of the work arm wedge coupler to the wedge hook lugs. The wedge coupler includes a hydraulically operated wedge bar. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

[0027] FIG. 10 is diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the present invention showing the coupling of the work arm wedge coupler with the wedge hook lugs. The wedge coupler includes a hydraulically operated wedge bar before final locked engagement. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a top view of the configuration according to FIG. 9.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a top view of a configuration similar to FIG. 10 but showing the hydraulically operated wedge bar in final locked engagement.

[0030] Similar references are used in different figures to denote similar components

DESCRIPTION

[0031] The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, an embodiment according to the present invention shows a wedge coupler 10 on the work arm 15 of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader (not shown) is attached to an attachment 30 (bucket in the drawing) by means of wedge hook lug brackets or attachments 36 and 36a.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36a comprise a pair of opposed spaced lugs 60, 60a. Each lug 60, 60a has a rear facing hook section 70, 70a. The wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36a additionally comprise saddle sections 75, 75a. Rear facing hook sections 70, 70a and saddle sections 75, 75a accommodate bosses 20, 20a and 25, 25a respectively on the wedge coupler 10 on the work arm 15 that transfer the digging force from the power link of the primary mover to the attachment 30. The wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36a additionally comprise wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a to receive a wedge bar 55 on wedge coupler 10 that retains the attachment by engaging with rear facing hook sections 70, 70a across the width of the wedge hook lug attachments 36, 36a. The term rear is intended to refer to a direction away from the operator of the primary mover.

[0036] In order to attach a quick wedge coupler on the end of a work arm to an attachment, such as a bucket as shown in the drawings, having the wedge hook lugs according to the present invention, the quick wedge coupler is inserted between the pair of wedge hook lugs 60, 60a just in front of the rear facing hook sections 70, 70a. The operator curls and lifts the work arm in towards the operator to engage the lifting the bucket off the ground. As the work arm curls in, the bosses on the wedge coupler align with the saddle sections 75, 75a on the wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36a.

[0037] The saddle section 75, 75a on each attachment 36 and 36a is a machine position for the bosses on the wedge coupler that transfer the excavator power link forces to the bucket through wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36a.

[0038] The wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a on each wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36a is a machined surface that the wedge bar 55 engages completely to retain the bucket on the wedge coupler. The wedge coupler wedge bar can be engaged manually or hydraulically.

[0039] The surfaces on the rear facing hook section, saddle section and wedge bar receiver section are all machined to work together in such a way that the wedge coupler on the work arm remains in contact with all three surfaces at the same time.

[0040] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the wedge coupler 10 includes a wedge coupler wedge bar for manually engaging the wedge lug brackets 36, 36a. Boss 20 and boss 20a [20a is hidden] are initially engaged in rear facing hook sections 70, 70a [70a is hidden]. Coupler 10 includes a manually operated locking system comprising a wedge bar 55, a pair of wedge bolts 85 to align and tighten the wedge bar 55 against wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a, and pin apertures 95, 100, 95a and 100a for receiving safety pins, similar to safety pins 120, 120a shown FIG. 10. Wedge bolts 85 are in a loosened but connected state so that wedge bar 55 can freely move past the ends 37, 37a of wedge brackets 36, and 36a.

[0041] In FIG. 8, coupler bosses 20, 20a and 25, 25a are shown engaged in rear facing hook sections 70, 70a [70a is hidden] and saddle sections 75, 75a [75a is hidden] respectively. Wedge bolts 85 are shown as partially tightened, which causes wedge bar 55 to move towards wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a. Wedge blots 85 tighten against a safety plate 80 that is secured to wedge bar 55 by a safety pin 90. When wedge bar 55 is in a fully engaged or locked state with wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a, safety plate 80 prevents loosening of wedge bolts 85 and thereby ensures wedge bar 55 remains in the fully locked state.

[0042] When coupler 10 needs to be decoupled from the attachment, wedge bolts 85 are loosened to disengage and release wedge bar 55 away from wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a and allow wedge bar 55 to freely move past ends 37, 37a of wedge brackets 36, 36a.

[0043] FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the wedge coupler 10 includes a wedge coupler wedge bar for hydraulically engaging the wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a. Coupler 10 includes a hydraulically operated locking system comprising a wedge bar 55, a pair of wedge guide rods 105 for aligning wedge bar 55 during hydraulic operation, a hydraulic cylinder 125 centrally mounted on coupler 10 by cylinder pin 135, hydraulic supply hoses 140, and a wedge pin 150 for securing piston 155 of hydraulic cylinder 125 to wedge bar 55. Pin apertures 110, 115, 110a and 115a are provided to receive safety pins 120, 120a.

[0044] In FIG. 9, boss 20 and boss 20a [20a is hidden] are initially engaged in rear facing hook sections 70, 70a [70a is hidden]. In the exemplary example shown in FIG. 10, activation of hydraulic cylinder 125 causes wedge bar 55 to move towards wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a.

[0045] When wedge bar 55 is not yet engaged with wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a, springs 130 and 130a are in a compressed state as depicted in FIG. 11. When wedge bar 55 is in a final engaged or locked state as illustrated in FIG. 12, springs 130 and 130a are in an uncompressed state. If hydraulic power is lost, the springs move to their natural state and prevent wedge bar 55 from disengaging from wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a. In final engaged position, safety pins 120, 120a are secured through pin apertures 110, 115, 110a and 115a to further secure wedge bar 55 in its locked position.

[0046] When coupler 10 needs to be decoupled from the attachment, de-activation of hydraulic cylinder 125 causes wedge bar 55 to release from wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50a and freely move past ends 37, 37a of wedge brackets 36, 36.

[0047] While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that such embodiment is by way of example and is not limiting as is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details illustrated in the drawings. Other modifications and applications, or equivalents, will occur to those skilled in the art. For example the wedge bar could also go through the lugs by retracting and extending pins in the wedge coupler, the rear facing hook section can have different profiles depending on the configuration of the wedge coupler and the lug spacing on the attachment can be different widths so long as the wedge coupler is engaged with both lugs.

[0048] The terms having, comprising and including and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of optional or may include and not as required. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and attached drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims that follow. The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless specifically so stated, but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the embodiment described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims.