Couplers and coupling systems for front-end loaders are well-known and widely used to provide for quick connect/disconnect of attachments, such as buckets, forks or the like, to the arms and control linkage of a front-end loader or like machine. Examples of such couplers and coupling systems are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,708,579; 5,415,235; 5,529,419; and 5,692,850, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. It should be noted that the male coupler portion of present invention is described herein with reference to a Z-bar style tilt linkage. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the male coupler portion is equally suitable for a tool-carrier application, wherein two tilt cylinders are provided. Also, the term “front end loader” as used herein is not intended to be limiting in any way and is intended to encompass any tractor, wheel-loader backhoe or other machine having two arms to which the male coupler portion can be operatively pinned for pivoting movement together with an attachment mated therewith.
Known couplers have been deemed sub-optimal for a variety of reasons. They include locking mechanisms that reduce visibility through the central region of the coupler. The lock mechanisms of prior couplers require machining operations to ensure proper operation of the plunger-type lock mechanism, and this increases cost of manufacture. Lock mechanisms of known couplers allow an attachment to move relative to the coupler or “rattle” during operation, especially when the coupler and/or attachment are worn, and the lock mechanism does not compensate for this wear. Known couplers and coupling systems have not included a female coupling portion designed to mate with both a conventional male coupler portion and a new male coupler portion as disclosed herein. Also, known couplers are sensitive to misalignment which can make coupling operations difficult at times under real-world conditions. Known couplers using a single actuator to move one or more lock members have been found to be sensitive to misalignment because both female ribs must be aligned properly for the actuator to actuate the locking mechanism.
In light of the foregoing reasons and others, new and improved coupler components and a new and improved coupler system including same are disclosed herein.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present development, a male coupler portion comprises: a frame having a front region and a rear region, said rear region comprising first and second pin-on locations for being pivotally connected to respective first and second associated machine arms, and at least one pin-on location for an associated tilt control member; a first pair of laterally spaced apart hook engaging mounts adapted to be received respectively by associated first and second hooks of an associated female coupler portion; a first pair of openings adapted to receive respective associated first and second projecting ears of the associated female coupler portion; first and second lock members slidably connected to said frame and each movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein said first lock member at least partially obstructs one of said first pair of openings when moved to the locked position, and wherein said second lock member at least partially obstructs the other of said first pair of openings when moved to the locked position, each of said first and second lock members comprising first and second sections separated by a gap; and, at least one actuator connected to the frame and operably coupled to the first and second lock members for moving the first and second lock members between the unlocked and locked positions.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a female coupler portion comprises first and second vertical ribs arranged in a spaced-apart relationship. Each of said ribs comprises: a hook and an ear. The ear comprises at least one shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse to a vertical plane that includes both said hook and said ear.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a coupling system comprises a female coupler portion that comprises first and second vertical ribs arranged in a spaced-apart relationship. The ribs comprise first and second hooks and first and second ears, respectively, wherein each of said first and second ears comprises at least one shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom. The coupling system further comprises a male coupler portion that comprises: a frame having a front region and a rear region, said rear region comprising first and second pin-on locations for being pivotally connected to respective first and second associated machine arms, and at least one pin-on location for an associated tilt control member; a first pair of laterally spaced apart hook engaging mounts adapted to be received respectively by said first and second hooks of said female coupler portion; a first pair of openings adapted to receive said first and second ears of said female coupler portion; first and second lock members slidably connected to said frame and each movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein said first and lock member at least partially obstructs one of said first pair of openings and engages said at least one shoulder of said first ear when moved to the locked position, and wherein said second lock member at least partially obstructs the other of said first pair of openings and engages said at least one shoulder of said second ear when moved to the locked position; and, at least one actuator connected to the frame and operably coupled to the first and second lock members for moving the first and second lock members between the unlocked and locked positions.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rib for a female coupler comprises a hook and an ear. The ear comprises at least one shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse to a vertical plane that includes both said hook and said ear.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing a rib of a female coupler comprises: providing a conventional female coupler rib that comprises a hook and an ear; and, connecting at least one shoulder to said ear so that said at least one shoulder projects outwardly from said ear.
A coupling system provided in accordance with the present invention comprises various components and arrangements of components, and comprises various steps and arrangements of steps, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and wherein:
The frame FA comprises a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart vertical ribs defined from steel plate or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, each half A1,A2 of the male coupler portion A comprises four parallel vertical ribs 10a,10b,10c,10d. The ribs 10a,10b of each coupler half A1,A2 cooperate to define therebetween an arm-receiving channel C1 adapted to receive the distal end of the arm of an associated loader machine. The ribs 10a,10b define respective apertures 12a,12b that are aligned so as to define arm pin-on point P1 for the coupler half A1 and arm pin-on point P2 for the coupler half A2. As such, the ribs 10a,10b of each coupler half A1,A2 are adapted for pin-on pivotable connection to associated arms of a front-end loader or other like machine at locations P1,P2 by means of the aligned apertures 12a,12b. This allows the male coupler portion A to pivot relative to the loader arms about the pin-on points P1,P2 between dump and roll-back positions known in the art.
Likewise, the coupler portion A comprises at least one and possibly multiple locations for pin-on connection to a tilt-link and/or first and second tilt-cylinders. As shown herein, the associated tilt link or other control member of the associated loader machine is adapted for pin-on pivotable connection to the male coupler portion A between the central ribs 10d of each coupler half A1,A2 at a location P3 by means of aligned apertures 14d defined in the central ribs 10d. More particularly, the two central ribs 10d cooperate to define therebetween a link channel C2 adapted to receive and accommodate a pin-on connection of an associated tilt link, cylinder rod-eye or other member that controls the angular position of the male coupler portion A relative to the loader arms connected at pin-on points P1,P2. The tilt link or other control member is pivotally secured to the male coupler portion A via pin-on connection at the point P3 defined by the aligned apertures 14d of ribs 10d. Bosses and pin-retainers are provided at all pin-on locations P1,P2,P3 to ensure proper pin fit and retention and for added strength as is generally known in the art.
The ribs 10b,10cof each coupler half A1,A2 define therebetween a lock channel C3. As described in further detail below, the coupler halves A1,A2 include respective lock assemblies L1,L2. The lock assemblies L1,L2 include respective locking wedges LW1,LW2. The lock wedge LW1 is slidably located at least partially in the lock channel C3 of the coupler half A1 and the lock wedge LW2 is slidably located at least partially in the lock channel C3 of the coupler half A2.
The coupler frame FA preferably comprises at least two and preferably at least three horizontal cross-members or cross-bars T1,T2,T3 arranged perpendicular to the ribs 10a-10d. The ribs 10b,10c,10d of each coupler half A1,A2 are fixedly secured to a first, upper round (or other shape) steel cross-member/cross-bar T1 by insertion of the member T1 through aligned apertures defined in the ribs 10b,10c,10d of each half A1,A2 and welding at each juncture of the member T1 with the ribs. In a similar manner, a second cross-bar T2 is connected to the ribs 10b,10c,10d of each coupler half A1,A2 by passage through aligned openings in all of the ribs and welding at the various interfaces between the cross-bar T2 and each rib. The first and second cross-bars T1,T2 are located adjacent each other. A lower horizontal cross-member/cross-bar T3 is vertically spaced from the second cross-bar T2. The lower cross-bar T3 extends through openings defined in the ribs 10c of each half A1,A2 and is welded to these ribs 10c and is also welded to the ribs 10b of each half A1,A2. Various gussets G1,G2,G3 are provided for added strength (shown only in FIGS. 1,3,5).
The ribs F1,F2 define respective hooks H1,H2 and ears E1,E2 spaced from the hooks. The ears E1,E2 define respective transverse apertures EA1,EA2 and these apertures are aligned with each other. Thus, except as noted below, the female portion B is conventional in all respects and is able to mate with known male coupler portions such as those disclosed in the above-identified patents. The female portion B is different from known female portions in that each ear E1,E2 includes or defines at least one and preferably two shoulders S1,S2 (see also
The shoulders S1,S2 can be defined by any suitable and convenient means. In one embodiment, the shoulders S1,S2 are defined as a one-piece construction with the ears E1,E2 (e.g., by machining etc.) or, alternatively, the shoulders can be defined by attachment of one or more members to the ears E1,E2. The shoulders S1,S2 project laterally out from ears E1,E2, transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to a plane that includes the ear E1,E2 and the corresponding hook H1,H2. The shoulders S1,S2 are preferably aligned with each other.
The result is illustrated in
Referring again to
A generally U-shaped steel face plate 40, preferably but not necessarily one-piece, extends across the front AF of the coupler A. The steel face plate 40 is welded to all of the ribs 10a,10b,10c,10d of both coupler halves A1,A2. It is most preferred that, for added visibility, the plate 40 be U-shaped as shown and comprise a narrow central web region 40a that extends between the ribs 10c of each coupler half A1,A2. Thus, it can be seen that a large, open and unobstructed window W for high visibility is defined and framed by the ribs 10c of each half, the narrow portion 40a of plate 40 and the upper cross-bar T2.
The plate 40 defines openings 42a,42b (
The lock wedge LW1 is shown separately in
As shown in
The lock assemblies L1,L2 comprise actuators for independently moving the lock wedges LW1,LW2 slidably parallel to the ribs 10b,10c and parallel to the face place 40 between locked and unlocked positions (as shown the lock wedges LW1,LW2 are slidably abutted with the plate 40). In a preferred embodiment, each lock assembly L1,L2 comprises a hydraulic cylinder HC (
With the foregoing in mind, operation of the coupling system A,B is further described with reference to
The hydraulic cylinders HC are configured so that the force available to move the lock wedges LW1,LW2 from the unlocked position to the locked position is significantly less than the force available to move the lock wedges LW1,LW2 from the locked position to the unlocked position. This prevents an “over-wedging” condition, where one or both of the lock wedges LW1,LW2 becomes immovably seized between the shoulders S1,S2 of ear E1,E2 and the front plate 40. In one example, the hydraulic cylinders are configured so that the force available to move the wedges LW1,LW2 from the locked position to the unlocked position is more than twice the force available to move the wedges LW1,LW2 from the unlocked to the locked position.
The female ribs F1,F2 described above can be provided in more than one different overall shape.
According to the alternative embodiment disclosed hereinbelow, a hybrid male coupler portion A′ for a front-end loader is provided and is operable to mate selectively and interchangeably with a female coupler portion comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart ribs F1,F2 or a pair of parallel spaced-apart ribs F1′,F2′ as required. The ribs F1′,F2′ are constructed from conventional ribs having the same shape by adding at least one and preferably both shoulders S1′,S2′ thereto, e.g., via adapter D′ in the same manner as described above for constructing ribs F1,F2 from a conventional rib F or by an alternative method. As such, like components relative to the ribs F1,F2 are identified with like reference characters including a primed (′) suffix. Notably, the ribs F1′,F2′ comprise stops ST2b′ located differently as compared to stops ST1b of ribs F1,F2.
The hybrid male coupler portion is shown generally at A′ in
The male coupler portion A′ comprises a frame FA′ and first and second lock assemblies L1′,L2′ (
The frame FA′ comprises a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart vertical ribs defined from steel plate or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, each half A1′,A2′ comprises five parallel vertical ribs 10a′,10b′,10c′,10d′,10e′. The ribs 10a′,10b′ of each coupler half A1′,A2′ cooperate to define therebetween an arm-receiving channel C1′ adapted to receive the distal end of the arm of an associated loader machine. The ribs 10a′,10b′ define respective apertures 12a′,12b′ that are aligned so as to define an arm pin-on points P1′ (for the coupler half A1′) and P2′ (for the coupler half A2′). As such, the ribs 10a′,10b′ of each coupler half A1′,A2′ are adapted for pin-on pivotable connection to associated first and second arms of a front-end loader or other machine at locations P1′,P2′ by means of the aligned apertures 12a′,12b′. This allows the male coupler portion A′ to pivot relative to the loader arms about the pin-on points P1′,P2′ between dump and roll-back positions known in the art.
Likewise, the coupler portion A′ comprises at least one and possibly multiple locations for pin-on connection to a tilt-link and/or first and second tilt-cylinders. In the illustrated example, the associated tilt link or other control member of the associated front-end loader or other machine is adapted for pin-on pivotable connection to the male coupler portion A′ between the central ribs 10e′ of each coupler half A1′,A2′ at a location P3′ by means of aligned apertures 14e′ defined in the central ribs 10e′. More particularly, the two central ribs 10e′ cooperate to define therebetween a link channel C2′ adapted to receive an associated tilt link, cylinder rod-eye or other member that controls the angular position of the male coupler portion A′ relative to the loader arms connected at points P1′,P2′. The tilt link or other control member is pivotally secured to the male coupler portion A′ via pin-on connection at the point P3′ defined by the aligned apertures 14e′ of ribs 10e′. Bosses and pin-retainers are provided at all pin-on locations P1′,P2′,P3′ to ensure proper pin fit and retention and for added strength as is generally known in the art.
As is readily apparent in
The ribs 10b′,10c′,10d′,10e′ of each coupler half A1′,A2′ are fixedly secured to a first, upper steel cross bar or member T1′ by insertion of the member T1′ through aligned apertures defined in the ribs 10b′,10c′,10d′,10e′ of each half A1′,A2′ and welding at each juncture of the member T1′ with the ribs. In a similar manner, a second upper cross-bar T2′ is connected to the ribs 10b′,10c′,10d′,10e′ of each coupler half A1′,A2′ by passage through aligned openings in all of these ribs and welding at the various interfaces between the cross-bar T2′ and each rib. A lower cross-bar T3′ is spaced from the second upper cross-bar T2′. The lower cross-bar T3′ extends through openings defined in the ribs 10c′,10d′ of each half A1′,A2′ and is welded to these ribs and is also preferably welded to the ribs 10b′ of each half A1′,A2′. Various gussets G′ are provided for added strength (see e.g.,
As described above in relation to
Referring again to
The male coupler portion A′ further comprises a pair of second hook engaging mounts M2a′,M2b′ (one per half A1′,A2′) that engage and are received into hooks H1′,H2′ of respective female ribs F1′,F2′ (FIGS. 11A,11B) when these ribs are connected to an attachment AT in the general arrangement shown in
A generally U-shaped steel face plate 40′, preferably but not necessarily one-piece, extends across the front AF′ of the coupler A′ as best seen in
With continuing reference to
The plate 40′ also defines a second set of openings 142a′,142b′ (FIGS. 14,15) through which the ears E1′,E2′ of ribs F1′,F2′ project when the male coupler portion A′ is mated to a female coupler portion comprising a pair of ribs F1′,F2′, i.e., when the mounts M2a′,M2b′ of male coupler portion A′ are seated in the hooks H1′,H2′ of ribs F1′,F2′, respectively. The opening 142a′ is aligned with the lock channel C4′ and mount M2a′ of the coupler half A1′ and the opening 142b′ is aligned with the lock channel C4′ and the mount M2b′ of the coupler half A2′. As such, when the female coupler portion comprising a pair of alternatively shaped ribs F1′,F2′ is operably mated with the male coupler portion A′, the ear E1′ of a first rib F1′ projects through opening 142a′ into the lock channel C4′ of coupler half A1′ for engagement of shoulders S1′,S2′ of ear E1′ by the lock wedge LW1′; and the ear E2′ of a second rib F2′ projects through opening 142b′ into lock channel C4′ of coupler half A2′ for engagement of shoulders S1′,S2′ of ear E2′ by the lock wedge LW2′. The openings 42a′,42b′,142a′,142b′ are provided by any space or void that accommodates the ears E1,E2,E1′,E2′ and need not be shaped as shown. The openings 42a′,142a′ can be separate or merged together, and the openings 42b′,142b′ can be separate or merged together, i.e., they can be defined as one large opening that comprises both openings.
As shown in
The lock assemblies L1′,L2′ further comprise actuators for independently moving the lock wedges LW1′,LW2′ slidably parallel to the ribs 10b′,10c′,10d′ between locked and unlocked positions. In a preferred embodiment, each lock assembly L1′,L2′ comprises a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder HC′ (shown in phantom lines in
The lock assemblies L1′,L2′ operate in the same general fashion as the lock assemblies L1,L2 as shown in
The hydraulic cylinders HC′ are preferably configured so that the force available to move the lock wedges LW1′,LW2′ from the unlocked position to the locked position is significantly less than the force available to move the lock wedges LW1′,LW2′ from the locked position to the unlocked position. This prevents an over-wedging condition, where one or both of the lock wedges LW1′,LW2′ becomes immovably seized between the shoulders S1,S2;S1′,S2′ and the front plate 40′.
As shown in
In the illustrated examples, the ribs F1,F2 are JRB-style ribs as are known in the art in that the ribs are conformed and arranged relative to each other so as to define a female coupler portion that mates with a conventional male coupler portion available commercially from JRB COMPANY, INC., Akron, Ohio, U.S.A., and the ribs F1′,F2′ are CAT-style ribs in that the ribs are conformed and arranged relative to each other so as to define a female coupler portion that mates with a conventional male coupler portion available commercially from CATERPILLAR INC., Peoria, Ill. U.S.A. Of course, the ribs F1,F2 and F1′,F2′ are different from conventional JRB and/or CAT ribs in that they include or define one or more shoulders S1,S2 and S1′,S2′, respectively, as described in detail above, so that they can also mate with the male coupler portion A′.
The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading this specification. It is intended that the claims be construed literally and/or according to the doctrine of equivalents to the fullest extent legally possible so as to encompass all such modifications and alterations.
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/819,677 filed Apr. 7, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,546 which claims priority from and benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/487,095 filed Jul. 14, 2003 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/460,991 filed Apr. 7, 2003, and the disclosures of all these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070140788 A1 | Jun 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60487095 | Jul 2003 | US | |
60460991 | Apr 2003 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10819677 | Apr 2004 | US |
Child | 11705914 | US |