Coupler with improved structure and method for manufacturing same

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6691438
  • Patent Number
    6,691,438
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, April 25, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 17, 2004
    20 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Pezzuto; Robert E.
    • Beach; Thomas A.
    Agents
    • Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee, LLP
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.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to couplers used to connect implements such as buckets, grapples, shears and the like to a “dipper stick” or arm of an excavator, backhoe, tractor or other prime mover. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved structure for such a coupler that is more efficient to manufacture in terms of time and materials without sacrificing strength. The method of manufacturing the subject coupler also forms a part of the present invention.




Couplers of the type described above are well-known and in widespread use. One common coupler is available commercially from JRB Company, Inc., Akron, Ohio, U.S.A., and is sold under the registered trademarks SLIDE-LOC® and SMART-LOC™. Notwithstanding the commercial success of the SLIDE-LOC® and SMART-LOC™ couplers, it has been deemed desirable to develop an improved coupler that is more efficient to manufacture and that includes a more open central region that facilitates mounting of a fluid cylinder and other components to the coupler as required.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with a first aspect of the present development, a method for constructing a coupler comprises 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. The first and second female rib members each define first and second spaced-apart recesses adapted to receive first and second pins of an implement. The first and second female rib members are arranged in spaced-apart relation with the first and second bearing plates aligned and spaced-apart from each other, the first recesses aligned with each other to define a first pin-receiving hook and the second recesses aligned with each other to define a second pin-receiving hook. A lower bearing plate is positioned between said first and second female rib members and is spaced from the first and second upper bearing plates whereby a slot is defined between the lower bearing plate and the first and second upper bearing plates. At least one cross member is positioned between the first and second female rib members. This cross member is secured to both the first and second female rib members. The lower bearing plate is secured to both the first and second female rib members. A first outer rib member is connected and secured to the first female rib member to define a first rib assembly and a second outer rib member is connected and secured to the second female rib member to define a second rib assembly. The first and second outer rib members each define first and second spaced apart pin openings, and the first pin openings are aligned with each other and the second pin openings are aligned with each other. A lock member is slidably positioned in the space defined between the upper bearing plate and the lower bearing plate. An actuator is secured in a space located between the first and second rib assemblies. The actuator is operably connected to the lock member whereby the actuator is adapted to move the lock member between a retracted position and an extended position. The lock member extends at least partially into the second pin-receiving hook when in the extended position.




In accordance with another aspect of the present development, a coupler formed in accordance with the foregoing method is provided.




In accordance with a further aspect of the present development, a coupler includes first and second laterally spaced-apart rib assemblies defining a space therebetween and each comprising first and second pin-openings. The first openings of the first and second rib assemblies are aligned with each other and the second openings of the first and second rib assemblies are aligned with each other. A plurality of cross-members extend between and interconnect the first and second 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. A lower bearing plate is connected to both the first and second rib assemblies and is spaced from the first and second upper bearing plates so that a slot is defined between the lower bearing plate and the first and second upper bearing plates. 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 said 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.




One advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel and unobvious coupler and method for manufacturing same.




Another advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a coupler that allows for a rear-mounted fluid cylinder or other actuation means that extends and retracts a locking plate.




A further advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a coupler that is lighter weight that conventional couplers of comparable size without sacrificing strength and durability.




Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a coupler wherein machining and welding are minimized to reduce assembly time and expense.




A still further advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a method for manufacturing a coupler that is highly efficient in that it facilitates improved material flow and minimizes set-up and staging of sub-assemblies of the coupler.




A further advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a coupler wherein open space is provided to facilitate self-cleaning of mud and other debris from the coupler body.




A still further advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a manufacturing method for a coupler that does not require use of a jig to hold the coupler components during assembly.




Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading the present specification.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention comprises various components and arrangements of components, and various steps and arrangements of steps, preferred embodiments of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and wherein:





FIG. 1

is an isometric view of a coupler formed in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 2

is another isometric view of the coupler of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a side elevational view of the coupler shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a top plan view of the coupler shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is similar to

FIG. 1

but shows the coupler of

FIG. 1

with one of the lateral rib assemblies removed to reveal additional components of the coupler; and,





FIG. 6

illustrates one of the lateral rib assemblies used to form the coupler of FIG.


1


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment only and not for purposes of limiting the invention in any way, a coupler C formed in accordance with the present invention is shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The coupler C comprises first and second lateral rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


that are preferably mirror images of each other. The rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


preferably respectively comprise a female rib FR


1


, FR


2


and an outer rib OR


1


, OR


2


fixedly secured to the female rib by welding or other suitable and convenient means (see also FIG.


6


).




The rib assembly R


1


is illustrated alone in FIG.


6


and clearly shows the structure of the female and outer rib members FR


1


, OR


1


. Although not shown in

FIG. 6

, the rib assembly R


2


is a mirror image of the rib assembly R


1


. Referring to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


6


, the female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


are cut from suitable steel plate material and each define a first or rear open U-shaped recess


10


and a second or front open U-shaped recess


12


. The female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


each further define a utility aperture


14


at a forward end


16


. Intermediate the rear and front recesses


10


,


12


, the female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


define multiple tab-receiving openings, preferably three opening


20


,


22


,


24


as illustrated herein. Finally, the female rib members FR


1


,FR


2


define first and second spaced-apart dowel openings


26


,


28


.




With continuing reference to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


6


, the outer rib members OR


1


, OR


2


are also mirror images of each other and are cut from suitable steel plate material and define first and second spaced-apart pin openings


30


,


32


. Also, the outer rib members OR


1


, OR


2


define first and second preferably identical dowel openings that align respectively with the dowel openings


26


,


28


defined by the female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


(only the first of the first and second dowel openings of the outer ribs members OR


1


, OR


2


is visible in the figures and is referenced at


38


in FIG.


1


). The location of the second dowel opening will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a complete reading of the present disclosure.




The rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


are arranged in spaced-apart parallel relation to each other and are aligned with each other so that the rear recesses


10


, the front recesses


12


, the first pin openings


30


and the second pin openings


32


of the rib assemblies R


1


,R


2


are in respective alignment or registry. As shown in

FIG. 3

, the rear recesses


10


are registered on a common transverse axis L


1


and the front recesses are registered on a common transverse axis L


2


. Thus, the rear recesses


10


together define a rear pin-receiving region


40


, referred to herein as a rear “hook”


40


, and the front recesses


12


together define a front pin-receiving region


42


, referred to herein as a front “hook”


42


. The front and rear hooks


40


,


42


open in different directions as is generally known. Likewise, the pin openings


30


are registered on a common transverse axis L


3


and the pin openings


32


are registered on a common transverse axis L


4


. These axes L


1


-L


4


are parallel (within acceptable design and manufacturing tolerances) to first and second parallel spaced-apart pins (not shown) connected to a bucket or other associated implement to be picked-up by the coupler C. More specifically, the first and second parallel spaced-apart pins of the associated implement are received respectively in the rear and front hooks


40


,


42


. As is generally known, the arrangement of the hooks


40


,


42


so that they open in different directions as shown requires that, when attaching the associated bucket or other implement to the coupler C, the first pin of the associated implement must be seated in the rear hook


40


before the second pin of the associated implement can be seated in the front hook


42


. Decoupling is accomplished in the reverse order. The coupler C, itself, is connected to an arm or dipper stick and a control link of an excavator or other prime mover by a conventional pin-on connection using the aligned pin openings


30


,


32


, respectively. It is also preferred that the utility apertures


14


of the respective rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


be registered with each other as shown in FIG.


3


. These utility apertures provide a convenient location for connection of a chain, hook or other item to the coupler C as required for lifting, dragging or other operations.




Various members extend between and interconnect the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


. A main cross-member


50


is defined as a rectangular steel member and is welded at its opposite ends to the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


to set the distance between the rib assemblies. A shield plate


52


is welded between the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


between the utility apertures


14


and the front recesses


12


. As shown, the shield plate


52


preferably substantially isolates the forward tips


16


from the remainder of the coupler C to inhibit dirt and debris from flowing into the space between the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


.




As best seen in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, a plurality of cross-members extend between the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


adjacent the rear hook (pin-receiving area)


40


. In particular, a main rear hook plate


60


is located so that an inner surface thereof


62


lies flush or even with a first or lower linear side portion of each of the recesses


10


defining the rear hook


40


. For added strength, the main rear hook plate


60


extends inwardly away from the rear hook


40


so that in innermost end


64


thereof extends toward a central region of the coupler C partway between the rear and front hooks


40


,


42


. As may be seen clearly in

FIG. 4

, the main rear hook plate


60


defines a large opening


66


that helps to prevent collection of dirt and other debris in the rear pin-receiving area


40


, i.e., dirt and debris exit the rear hook


40


through the opening


66


. Second and third rear hook plates


68


,


70


also extend between and interconnect the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


adjacent the rear hook


40


(the third hook plate is not shown in

FIG. 5

for clarity). The second rear hook plate


68


is preferably located generally opposite the first rear hook plate


60


so that an inner surface


69


thereof is approximately flush with a second or upper linear side surface of each of the recesses


10


defining the rear hook


40


. The second rear hook plate


68


can be moved toward and away from the first rear hook plate


60


a minimal amount during construction of the coupler C to adjust the tolerance of the rear hook


40


. Specifically, the second rear hook plate


68


is located to ensure that the rear hook


40


is conformed to receive the first pin of the bucket or other associated implement tightly with minimal play or slop. Thus, the inner surface


69


of the second rear hook plate


68


is not necessarily flush with the upper linear side surfaces of the aligned recesses


10


. The third rear hook plate


70


is located between the first and second rear hook plates


60


,


68


so that its inner surface


71


is located generally tangential with the curved innermost end of the aligned recesses


10


defining the rear hook


40


. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inner surfaces


62


,


69


,


71


of the rear hook plates


60


,


68


,


70


generally approximate the general shape of the U-shaped recesses


10


that define the rear hook


40


. These plates


60


,


68


,


70


increase the wear surface area for the first pin of an associated bucket or other implement that is received in the rear hook


40


so that all loads and wear are not concentrated directly in the aligned recesses


10


. Also, the second and third rear hook plates


68


,


70


are preferable rectangular in cross-section as shown herein.




With continuing reference to

FIG. 3

, a front hook plate


80


(not shown in

FIG. 5

for clarity) extends between and interconnects the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


adjacent the front hook


42


. Preferably the front hook plate


80


is rectangular in cross-section and includes an inner surface


82


that lies generally tangential to an innermost curved end of the recesses


12


defining the front hook


42


. The front hook plate


80


increases the wear surface area for the second pin of an associated bucket or other implement that is received in the recess


42


.




With reference primarily to

FIGS. 4-6

, a first upper bearing plate


90


is fixedly secured to the first rib assembly R


1


. More particularly, the first upper bearing plate


90


defines first and second tabs


91




a


,


91




b


(

FIG. 4

) that are received respectively in the tab-receiving openings


20


,


22


. When the tabs of the first upper bearing plate


90


are inserted into the openings


20


,


22


, the first upper bearing plate


90


is properly located relative to the first rib assembly R


1


. Of course, the first upper bearing plate


90


is welded in position once the tabs thereof are inserted into the tab-receiving openings


20


,


22


of the first rib assembly R


1


. A second upper bearing plate


94


is a mirror image of the first upper bearing plate


90


. It is fixedly secured to the second rib assembly R


2


directly opposite the first upper bearing plate


90


. As may be seen in

FIGS. 3 and 5

, the second upper bearing plate


94


includes first and second spaced-apart tabs


95




a


,


95




b


that are received respectively in the openings


20


,


22


defined in the second rib assembly R


2


. The tabs


95




a


,


95




b


are identical to the tabs


91




a


,


91




b


found on the first upper bearing plate


90


. The first and second upper bearing plates


90


,


94


are spaced-apart from each other so that a gap is located therebetween.




A lower bearing plate


100


extends between and is fixedly secured to both rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


. The lower bearing plate


100


includes tabs


102


projecting from its opposite lateral sides. One of the tabs


102


is visible in

FIG. 5

, and the other tab (not shown) is identical to the tab


102


visible in FIG.


5


and located directly opposite from the tab


102


. The lower bearing plate


100


is spaced apart from the first and second upper bearing plates


90


,


94


so that a slot


105


is defined between the two upper bearing plates


90


,


94


and the lower bearing plate


100


. It is important to note that no machining or other metal working is required to form the slot


105


.




A lock member


120


such as the illustrated wedge is slidably located in the slot


105


. The lock member


120


is adapted for sliding movement as indicated by the arrow A


1


in FIG.


3


. In particular, at one extreme, the lock member


120


is movable to an extended position, as shown in

FIG. 3

, wherein it projects into the front hook/pin-receiving area


42


. In this extended position, the lock member


120


traps or captures a pin of an associated bucket or other implement in the front hook


42


. The lock member


120


is selectably movable from the extended position to a retracted position as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 5

. In this retracted position, the lock member


120


is moved completely out of the front hook


42


and does not interfere with placement of a pin in or removal of a pin from the front hook


42


as required to attach/detach an associated implement to the coupler C. To allow use of a single-width lock member


120


for multiple size couplers, shims


122


(

FIG. 5

) are located on one or both lateral sides of the lock member


120


as needed to eliminate undesired space between the lock member


120


and the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


.




The lock member


120


can be moved manually or by fluid-power or electro-mechanical means, e.g., by a lever, a ball-screw, a fluid-cylinder, a solenoid, or other suitable and convenient actuation means. In the preferred embodiment, a fluid cylinder such as a hydraulic cylinder


130


(

FIG. 5

) is located between the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


and operably coupled to the lock member


120


to move the lock member


120


between the extended and retracted positions. Alternatively, electro-mechanical means such as a solenoid can be employed. The fluid cylinder


130


includes a piston


132


that is secured to the lock member


120


by a lug


134


as shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

.




The fluid cylinder


130


is secured between the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


by a rear-mounting arrangement that minimizes stress on the cylinder


130


, itself. Specifically, first and second bosses


140


,


142


are respectively fixedly secured in bores


143




a,




143




b


(see

FIG. 4

) defined in the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


, and a load-pin or cross-pin


150


is secured between the bosses


140


,


142


. As shown in

FIG. 4

, a first bore


152


extends entirely through the first boss


140


, and a second bore


154


extends entirely through the second boss


142


. The first and second bores


152


,


154


are aligned. As shown in

FIG. 5

, the cylinder


130


includes a mounting base


136


that defines a through-bore that is aligned with the bores


152


,


154


. To secure the cylinder


130


in its operative position, the cross-pin


150


is slidably received in the aligned bores


152


,


154


and through the bore defined in the cylinder mounting base


136


. Although the cross-pin


150


could be welded in position, it is preferably temporarily secured in the bores


152


,


154


by conventional pin holders that are secured to the outer faces of the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


as shown. Use of a removable cross-pin


150


facilitates repair and replacement of the cylinder


130


, i.e., the cylinder


130


is easily removed by removal of the pin


150


. Most preferably, the pin


150


is defined from a high strength corrosion resistant metal such as 17-4 precipitation hardening (PH) stainless steel or the like that does not corrode, is not brittle, is very strong and does not work-soften.




To construct the coupler C, no form or “jig” is required. However, it is preferred that first and second spaced apart parallel pins P


1


, P


2


(

FIG. 3

) be provided that simulate the first and second pins of an associated implement so that these pins can be received respectively in the rear and front hooks


40


,


42


during construction of the coupler C to facilitate alignment of the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


with each other. In an initial step, the first upper bearing plate


90


is temporarily secured by tack welding to the first female rib member FR


1


, with the tabs of the upper bearing plate


90


received in the tab-receiving openings


20


,


22


of the female rib member FR


1


to ensure proper and convenient location of the first upper bearing plate


90


. The two female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


are then connected in a registered, parallel, spaced-apart manner to the associated first and second spaced apart parallel pins that are used to simulate the pins of an associated implement so that a first one of the pins is received in the aligned recesses


10


and the second one of the pins is received in the aligned recesses


12


of the female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


. The aligned first recesses


10


cooperate to define a first pin-receiving hook H


1


and the aligned second recesses cooperate to define a second pin-receiving hook H


2


(FIG.


1


).




The tabs


95




a,




95




b


of the second upper bearing plate


94


are inserted into the openings


20


,


22


of the second female rib member FR


2


. The lock member


120


, itself, or a similar block member is inserted beneath the first and second upper bearing plates


90


,


94


and used to align the second upper bearing plate


94


with the first upper bearing plate


90


so that the plates


90


,


94


are directly opposed from one another (the tabs


95




a,




95




b


fit loosely in the openings


20


,


22


to allow for this limited adjustment). Once the second upper bearing plate


94


it is aligned with the first upper bearing plate


90


, the second upper bearing plate


94


is also tack welded into position. The lower bearing plate


100


is then placed in position (but not welded at this stage) with its opposed tabs


102


respectively located in the tab-receiving openings


24


of the female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


.




The main cross-member


50


is tack welded between the first and second female members FR


1


, FR


2


to set the spacing between the first and second female rib members FR


1


, FR


2


. The lower bearing plate


100


is then tack welded into position. The remaining cross-members such as the shield plate


52


, the rear hook plates


60


,


68


,


70


, and the front hook plate


80


are then tack welded into position.




The outer ribs OR


1


, OR


2


are then temporarily secured to the female ribs FR


1


, FR


2


, respectively. With reference to

FIG. 6

, the first and second dowel openings


26


,


28


of the female rib member FR


1


are aligned respectively with first and second dowel openings


36


,


38


defined in the first outer rib member OR


1


and dowels (not shown) are inserted through and closely received in these aligned openings to temporarily fix the first female rib member FR


1


to the first outer rib member OR


1


. These members are then tack welded together. The second female rib member FR


2


and second outer rib member OR


2


are secured in the same manner.

FIG. 1

shows one of the dowel openings


38


defined in the second outer rib member OR


2


(the other dowel opening was located where the cross-pin


150


is now shown, coaxial with the cross-pin).




At this stage, all members noted above that have been tack welded together are permanently fixedly secured to each other by welding. Next, machining is carried out to machine the pin openings


30


,


32


to ensure their proper dimensions and smoothness or finish. Machining is also carried out to define the aligned openings


143




a,




143




b


through the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


that receive the cross-pin bosses


140


,


142


. More particularly, machining of these bores is carried out coaxial with the dowel openings


26


and the aligned dowel openings defined in the outer rib members OR


1


, OR


2


. No further machining is required and this provides a critical advantage relative to conventional couplers.




The bosses


140


,


142


are welded into position. Also, pin holders


160


,


162


are welded to an outer face of the second outer rib member OR


2


coaxial with the pin openings


30


,


32


, respectively. As is generally well known, the pin holders are used to retain the pins by which the coupler C is operably secured to an arm or dipper stick by a pin-on connection.




The lock member


120


is positioned in the slot


105


(if not already so positioned) and the actuator such as the fluid cylinder


130


is secured in the space defined between the two rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


as described above, i.e., by inserting the cross-pin


150


through a bore defined in the mounting base


136


of the cylinder


130


. The actuator is operably connected to the lock member


120


. In the illustrated example, this requires that the piston


132


of the fluid cylinder


130


be operably coupled to the lock member


120


via lug


134


.




By way of example only, the rib assemblies R


1


, R


2


and other components of the coupler C can be constructed from steel plate commonly referred to in the trade as T1 or A514 steel. Components that must be wear resistant, such as the hook plates


60


,


68


,


70


,


80


and the lock member


120


are preferably defined from AR400 steel plate or another suitable abrasion resistant steel or other metal. Of course, other metals and other materials can be used in the alternative, and the invention is not to be construed as being limited to use of any particular materials to construct the coupler C.




Modifications and alterations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading and understanding this specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including and/or encompassing all such modifications and alterations.



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.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and hereby expressly incorporates by reference U.S. provisional application No. 60/286,513 filed Apr. 26, 2001.

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Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
“JRB Slide-Loc Brouchure” (Product Introduced 1994).
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/286513 Apr 2001 US